A CLINICAL STUDY OF ALCOHOLICS USING AUDIOVISUAL SELF-IMAGE FEEDBACK

Sixty-six alcoholics were exposed to sound, color, motion pictures of themselves taken while under the influence of a small amount of alcohol. The pictures were obtained while patients discussed personal issues with a psychiatrist. Patients displayed three patterns of coping behavior during these sessions. These were: a consultative-receptive attitude, polite-impersonal attitude and a casual-impersonal attitude. These patterns indicated various degrees of cooperation and self-understanding. Confrontation of patients with their filmed behavior elicited responses indicating considerable dissatisfaction with the characteristics of their body image, and a low level of self-esteem. It is suggested that the negative self-evaluation of these patients is bound to have negative social consequences. The technique of self-confrontation offers possibilities in the study of the personality of alcoholics and in the therapy of these patients. © Williams & Wilkins 1969. All Rights Reserved.