An investigation of alcohol dependent respondents' attributions for their own and "others" relapses

In this study the attributions made by alcohol dependent respondents for th eir "own" and "others" relapses were examined. Seventy alcohol dependent in patients participated. Each respondent completed a research questionnaire w hich assessed demographic details, drinking history, alcohol dependence and included an attribution scale on which respondents rated their own last re lapse, and four relapse scenarios of "other" people, in terms of locus of c ausality (external/internal), personal control, external control, stability and globality. There were significant differences in the attributions made by alcohol depe ndent respondents for their "own" relapses as against the relapses of "othe rs". The relapses of "others" were seen as being significantly different; h aving greater internal locus of causality, lower external control and highe r personal control attributions. No differences were found on the dimension s of globality and stability. The existence of such differences suggest that attribution theory is of rel evance to any model of relapse that is based on client self report. It is a lso possible that the current emphasis in clinical work on the identificati on and management of high risk external situations as precipitants of relap se, may be a consequence of the attribution process rather than the "real" cause of relapse.