Factors Influencing Readiness to Change Among Hazardous Drinkers in South Korea

The present study was conducted to identify clinical factors influencing the readiness to change (RTC) among hazardous drinkers. The data were derived using the Korean Research for Development of Alcohol Addiction Diagnosis and Assessment System. We investigated RTC using a questionnaire on subjects who had never sought help for an alcohol problem. Subjects were then divided into two groups: the precontemplation group (those who had never considered that they had a problem) and the more than contemplation group (those who were at least open to the idea they might have a problem). Measured variables were personal characteristics, lifetime alcohol use history, and responses to the Drinker Inventory of Consequences, Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, Alcohol Dependence Scale, Motivational Structure Questionnaire for Alcoholics, and the Alcohol Outcome Expectancies Scale. Behavioral, psychiatric, and psychological factors were evaluated according to the responses to the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory. The valid sample comprised 129 hazardous drinkers, of which 74 were classified as precontemplation, and 55 were in the contemplation group. The results of the binary logistic analysis showed that being unmarried or separated as well as having higher scores for impulse control and social responsibility were independently associated with an increased likelihood of hazardous drinkers being in the contemplation group, and the final model explained 30.5% (Nagelkerke R-2) of the variation in membership of the contemplation group.