Social problem-solving abilities and personality disorder characteristics among dual-diagnosed persons in substance abuse treatment

We examined the relation of self-appraised social problem-solving abilities and personality-disorder characteristics to the adjustment and compliance of persons with dual diagnoses in substance-abuse treatment. it was hypothe sized that elements of the problem-orientation component would remain predi ctive of depressive behavior and distress after considering personality-dis order characteristics among 117 persons receiving inpatient-substance-abuse treatment. Furthermore, self-appraised problem-solving abilities were expe cted to predict the occurrence of "dirty" drug and alcohol screens during t reatment and compliance with the first scheduled community follow-up visit. Results supported predictions concerning the relation of problem-solving c onfidence to depressive behavior, distress, and substance-use screens; howe ver, a paradoxical relation was observed between the problem-orientation va riables and compliance with the first outpatient visit. The results are int erpreted within the context of contemporary models of social problem solvin g and the implications for cognitive-behavioral assessment and intervention are considered. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons. Inc.