Personalities of Female Alcoholics Who Became Counselors

Abstract

Edwards Personal Preference Schedule scores of 16 female alcoholics (M_age, = 42 yr., M_educ. = 12 yr., M_IQ = 116) accepted into a 9-mo. full-time counselor-training program were compared with those of 15 rejected applicants (M_age = 39 yr., M_educ. = 13 yr., and M_IQ = 114). Scores did not discriminate between the groups; however, after 9 mo. of training, subjects scored significantly higher on the Achievement and Succorance subtests and significantly lower on Deference, Abasement, and Endurance. It was assumed, therefore, that a 9-mo. training program with heavy emphasis on personal confrontation and self-awareness did help the female alcoholic counselors to become more task-oriented and more accepting of sympathy from others. Perhaps counselor-training has a different effect on female alcoholics' personality than on the male alcoholic counselors' personality.

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