Personal and Interpersonal Factors Associated with Alcoholism

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Abstract
The Leary Interpersonal System was used to analyze MMPI profiles, Interpersonal Check List ratings of self and others, and TAT stories obtained from 50 hospitalized white male alcoholics. Most presented healthy symptomatic behavior and described themselves as responsible, generous, managerial persons. As Leary has shown that such individuals are "help-rejectors", it would be anticipated that very few of this group would be willing to stay in treatment. At underlying levels, most revealed narcissistic, hostile, rebellious, or indecisive feelings. The ideal of the majority was to be passive, dependent, and friendly, but most felt they were not achieving this goal. Almost all described their parents and spouses as generous, admired individuals and a majority were consciously identified with these family figures. Most, however, devaluated parents and spouses and were preconsciously disidentified with them. This pattern of attitudes seems to reflect the alcoholic''s dependence on stronger persons as well as his resentment of his need for support and of those who supply it.
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