Self- and ideal-self-perception of drug addicts in therapeutic communities.
Ninety-one drug addicts from four residential treatment centers completed a 50-item rating scale for self and ideal self. Factor analysis of their responses revealed two five-factor solutions. As hypothesized, residents who had been in the centers for 10 months or more had higher self-esteem than residents in treatment for shorter periods. They also saw themselves as less pawnlike and were less self-critical. Primary dimensions of the residents' view of ideal self were Pawn and Self-criticism. Implications for program intake procedures, treatment techniques, and goals; criteria for success and failure; and community roles are discussed.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000786:Anger; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013808:Therapeutic Community; D013997:Time Factors