Effectiveness of assertiveness training with alcoholics.

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Abstract
The Rathus Assertiveness Scale (RAS), a self-report attitudinal measure, was completed by alcoholics at 2 state hospitals. The 102 patients (mean age 47; 15 women) who scored in the lower 50th percentile on the RAS and met certain other criteria were randomly assigned to either of 2 treatment groups or the control group. The subjects in the control group (group 1) participated in all treatment activities except assertiveness training. The minimal assertiveness training group (group 2) received 2 h of didactic assertion training in addition to regular therapy. The assertiveness training group (group 3) received, in addition to regular treatment, 10 h of assertion training involving modeling, coaching, role-playing, role reversal, instructions, behavior rehearsal, feedback, graded structural exercises and homework assignments. The RAS, the Behavioral Assertiveness Test (BAT), a tape-recorded situational test of assertiveness, and the Assertive Behavior Index (ABI), a measure of verbal and nonverbal components of assertiveness, were administered after 2 wk of treatment. Group 3 scored significantly higher on the RAS than groups 1 and 2, and was the only group which showed significant pre-post changes. On the BAT, group 3 had a significantly shorter response latency than group 1, but not group 2. Group 3 also scored higher than the other 2 groups on the response duration section of the BAT and on the total assertiveness measure. Group 3 was also rated significantly more assertive than groups 1 and 2 on the ABI. Group assertiveness training can be an effective therapeutic technique with alcoholics. By providing unassertive alcoholics with effective ways of coping with social and interpersonal problems, assertion training may reduce their dependence on alcohol.

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