Multidimensional subtypes and treatment outcome in first-time DWI offenders.
The concurrent and predictive validity of Type A and B alcoholism subtypes was evaluated in 246 first-time driving-while-intoxicated (DWI) offenders. K-means analysis indicated that a two-cluster solution was optimal with Type Bs (28%) exhibiting greater premorbid risk factors, alcohol and psychosocial severity, drinking consequences, psychopathology, higher stage of change, and less coping confidence in comparison to less severe Type As (72%). After baseline assessment, participants were randomly assigned to one of three 10-week group treatments (DWI Education, Coping Skills, Interactional), and reassessed at termination, and at 6-month and 1-year follow-ups. Type B was associated with more severe symptoms after treatment, but there was no evidence for patient-treatment matching effects. Although Type A/B may be an important theoretical model for guiding alcoholism research, it usefulness and efficiency for treatment matching, planning, or placement purposes is questioned.
Ball
S A
SA
Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New Haven, CT 06511, USA. samlizball@msn.com
Jaffe
A J
AJ
Crouse-Artus
M S
MS
Rounsaville
B J
BJ
O'Malley
S S
SS
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D018579:Patient Selection; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome