title: Ways of problem solving as predictors of relapse in alcohol dependent male inpatients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to identify how remitters and relapsers view their everyday problem solving strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 128 male alcohol dependent male inpatients who were hospitalized at the Ankara University Psychiatry Clinic, Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment Unit were recruited for the study. Subjects demographic status and alcohol use histories were assessed by a self-report questionnaire. Also, patients were evaluated with The Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory (CSI), The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale (STAI-I-II), and The Problem Solving Inventory (PSI). Patients were followed for six months with monthly intervals after hospital discharge. Drinking status was assessed in terms of abstinence and relapse. Data were assessed with Student t-test, and univariate and multivariate analyses. In the logistic regression analysis, age, marital status, employment status and PSI subscores were taken as the independent variables and drinking state at the end of six months as the dependent variable.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were significant differences in reflective and avoidant styles, and monitoring style of problem solving between abstainers and relapses. It was found that subjects who perceived their problem solving style as less avoidant and less reflective were at greater risk to relapse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings demonstrated that active engagement in problem solving like utilizing avoidant and reflective styles of problem solving enhances abstinence. In treatment, expanding the behavior repertoire and increasing the variety of ways of problem solving ways that can be utilized in daily life should be one of the major goals of the treatment program.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Teknikokullar, Faculty of Art, Gazi University, 06500 Ankara, Turkey. hdemirbas@gazi.edu.tr
authors.forename: Hatice
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Demirbas
authors.forename: Inci Ozgur
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Ilhan
authors.forename: Yildirim Beyatli
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Dogan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D001007:Anxiety; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D059012:Lost to Follow-Up; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011340:Problem Solving; D012008:Recurrence; D012649:Self Concept; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult