Group Psychotherapy With Persons on Probation Who Have Had Alcohol Related Offenses

• NCJ Number: 81084
• Author(s): E C Binley
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 94 pages
• Sale Source: UMI Dissertation Services; Not Available Through National Institute of Justice/NCJRS Document Loan Program
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. United States International University doctoral dissertation

Annotation

Thirty-three probationers who were participants in three therapy groups and a control group were studied to determine the feasibility of having probation officers provide group therapy for persons with alcohol problems despite the probation officer's role as an authority figure.

Abstract

Probationers with alcohol problems were chosen because of the high percentage of crimes which are estimated to be committed by persons under the influence of alcohol and because a widely held belief is that only members of Alcoholics Anonymous can successfully work with alcohol abusers. The subjects were all either on probation for an alcohol-related offense or had a continued hearing for such an offense. Twenty-four took part in the three experimental groups and nine were in the control group. Each of the three experimental groups used a different type of therapy: actualizing therapy based on Shostrum's work, decision therapy, and transactional analysis. The Personal Orientation Dimensions Inventory was used to measure subjects' growth in such characteristics as time orientation, anger, trust in humanity, awareness of manipulation, and creative living. The actualization group showed the greatest degree of growth, with significant changes in strength, creative living, and mission. After therapy, these subjects felt more able to cope, could get excited and creative about life, and felt more of a sense of mission. The decision therapy group showed significant changes in strength and trust in humanity, while the transactional analysis group showed significant changes in time orientation and mission. The only significant change in the control group was a reduction in awareness of their own manipulations and the manipulations of others. Findings showed that probation officers can do effective treatment with individuals on probation and that alcohol abusers on probation can benefit from counseling by probation officers. Tables, a list of 59 references, and appendixes presenting study forms are provided.