Self-consciousness and its modification in alcohol inpatients

In two longitudinal studies with alcohol inpatients, private and public sel f-consciousness were assessed before and after therapy using German adaptat ions of the Self Consciousness Scale by Fenigstein, Scheier and Buss. Dysfu nctional and functional aspects of self-consciousness (questionnaire by Hoy er), global symptom severity and psychological well-being were also measure d. Results showed heightened degrees of public and dysfunctional self-consc iousness at the beginning of treatment. While public self-consciousness did not change during treatment, functional and dysfunctional self-consciousne ss were both positively influenced. Therapy seems to affect the mo;le rathe r than the frequency of self-directed attention. Consequences for attention al theories of alcoholism and applications in therapy are discussed.