Efficacy of behaviour modification techniques to reduce the problem of alcohol drinking among adolescents: A study

Pages: 569-573
Vasantha Kumari R. (Department of Psychology, R & D Centre, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu)
Veeramani T. (Department of psychology, Govt. Arts College, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu)

The purpose of the study was to investigate the efficacy of Behavioural Techniques to reduce the alcohol drinking behaviour among adolescent. During this phase of development, adolescents begin the transition from childhood to adulthood. Issues of independence, identity, sexuality, and relationships define this developmental stage. They also experience mental health problems like, anxiety, depression etc .these issues along with other stress and inability to tackle leads to problem drinking in adolescents. Helping adolescents to build up self-esteem and over-come mental health problems along with preventing them from becoming addicts of alcoholism was the main objective. We used the questionnaire Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (1971); for screening of problem drinking, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (Hamilton, 1959); in order to determine the level of anxiety, Beck Depression Inventory (Beck, 1961); and Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965) in order to determine the level of Global Self-Worth indicating both positive and negative feelings about the Self. This is the study of ten adolescents of Maritime Academy, Cochin College and de-addiction centre, Cochin. The drinking problem of the subject was assessed by Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test. Pre intervention assessment of anxiety, Global Self-Worth indicating both positive and negative feelings about the Self by using Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale respectively. The subjects were administered the Behaviour Technology Module and were reassessed after the period of eight weeks. The results of the study is statistically significant and indicates that the subject experienced significant reduction in alcohol drinking; significant improvement in overall wellness by decreasing in the level of anxiety and had shown significant increase in self-esteem.