Attitudes and alcohol : the use of the semantic differential with different professional and drinking populations in East Tennessee

The purpose of this study was to determine attitudinal differences of select professional groups and drinking populations toward persons who were nonusers and persons who consume beverage alcohol. The professional groups con sisted of psychologists (N = 27), social workers (N = 23), ministers (N = 20), vocational rehabilitation counselors (N = 10), and nurses (N = 21). The drinking populations were made up of individuals who were D.W.I, students (N = 24), Alcoholics Anonymous members (N = 22), half-way house residents (N = 19), and patients at both nonmedical (N = 33) and medical (N = 22) detoxification centers.

A modified Semantic Differential Scale was utilized. The modification consisted of taking out the midpoint or zero value so there was a forced positive or negative choice. The statistical analysis utilized both the Kruskal-VJallis one way analysis of variance by ranks and analysis of vari ance. Duncan's test for posthoc m.ultiple comparisons was employed when the overall F ratio of the analysis of vari ance was found to be significant.

Every professional population as well as every drink ing population had significant attitudinal differences ■v^ithin each group. However, the data from the statistical analyses showed mixed results when comparing the attitudes among-the two populations. There also was a significant difference in attitudes between the professional populations and the drinking populations.

The conclusions drawn from this investigation were:

1. Professionals working with the nonuser and con sumer of beverage alcohol have attitudinal differences.

2. Professionals working with the nonuser and con sumer of beverage alcohol have divergent opinions in rela tion to the concepts Abstainer and Social Drinker.

3. The drinking population has attitudinal differ ences toward the nonuser and consumer of beverage alcohol.

4. The drinking populations have divergent opinions toward the nonuser and consumer of beverage alcohol.

5. The professional and drinking populations have attitudinal differences toward the nonuser and consumer of beverage alcohol.

There were several recommendations. Included were suggestions for instructors of D.W.I, schools and that educational institutes need to have programs in the area of alcohol studies. It was also recommended that replica tion of the study be conducted in other regions throughout the country.