Differences in emotional expressivity according to stages of motivation to refuse alcohol in alcohol dependency

Abstract

Objective: the aim of this study was to evaluate differences in emotional expressivity according to the motivation to refuse alcohol in a sample of Lithuanian alcohol dependent patients. Methods: The study sample consisted of 142 alcohol-dependent patients undergoing treatment in Lithuania. A self-administered questionnaire was used to identify the relationship between emotional expressivity (measured by Five Expressivity Facet Scale) and motivation to refuse alcohol (measured by The Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale). Results: Highly motivated alcohol-dependent males express both more positive and negative emotions. They have significantly higher expressive confidence and higher emotional impulse intensity than those alcohol-dependent males with low motivation to refuse alcohol. Highly motivated alcohol-dependent females have higher emotional impulse intensity and they express more positive emotions comparing to low motivated females. Discussion: Highly motivated alcohol-dependent patients have higher emotional expressivity. Therefore, it is important to enhance alcohol-related behavior reasoning as well as to identify and control emotional triggers in order to reach long-lasting changes of addictive behavior.