Journal of Addiction Research & Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

N egative psychosocial functioning induces alterations in such human aspects as social intelligence. Studies have shown how closely intertwined substance use disorders (SUD) and low social intelligence are, which could result in decreased ability to conduct constructive relationships, adapt to lifes ever-changing transient situations, and understanding ones self. The Aim was to estimate indicator of Social Intelligence (SI) of SUD patients. Descriptive and ANOVA was used for data procesing. Selection of research was composed by 405 respondents with diagnosis of SUD (F10.2 - F19.2, ICD-10) from two in-patient departments of Riga Centre of Psychiatry and Addiction Disorders (Latvia). Patients with average age 39,3 (SD=11,0); 266 (65,7%) were male; 331 (81,7%)- alcoholics. Measurements: Trmso Social Intelligence Scale , TSIS. Scale of SI consists of 21 items, building 3 factors: Social information processing (SP),social skills (SS), social awareness (SA). Statistically significant (pâ�?¤0,05) lower indicators are the case for male and female patients SA, compared with control group respondents (male- M=33,85; SD=4,28; t=-5,78; pâ�?¤0,001 and female- M=30,46; SD=6,82; t=-3,00; pâ�?¤0,01) and total SI, compared with control group respondents (male- M=96,97; SD=12,70; t=-3,48; pâ�?¤0,001 and female- M=92,56; SD=11,94; t=-2,20; pâ�?¤0,05). Alcohol and drug addicted men and womens SI comparison, shows that male drug addicts have higher indicators regarding SS factor (M=32,22; SD=9,19; F=5,50; pâ�?¤0,05) and total SI (M=94,24; SD=15,09; F=4,67; pâ�?¤0,05) than alcoholics. Women show no differences here (p>0,05). SUD patients have a defective ability in perceiving the inner state, motivation and behavior of themselves and others, and acting further based on this information. Comparing the patient group and the control group, we see no difference in the SS factor. Therefore, drug addicts rate themselves as responsible, cooperative and persistent. This contradicts the findings in several research studies on the social skills of SUD patients, especially narcotics addicts who are generally known for criminal wrongdoing, violence, and being unable to cope

Biography

Velga Sudraba has graduated Riga Stradins University (RSU) with a Mastersdegree in medicine. She continued education in residency of psychotherapyin RSU obtaining qualification of psychotherapist. During furthur years she improved psychotherapists education by learning psychodrama, sociometry and group psychotherapy, as well as psychodynamic psychotherapy. Last year she finished doctoral studies in RSU. Now she is busy for dissertation for getting scientific degree in medicine. Interests of the research are related to reduction of addiction consequences, relapse prevention and life quality improvement to patients of substance use disorders. Her interest is also extermination of post-soviet treatment methods and working out guidelines for evidence based treatments