Page 207 - PhD GT

Table 9.18 Correlations among treatment events and change in dependence at three months and twelve months: Spearman’s rho correlation coefficients. Sample 6c (n=101)
LDQ change between t1 and t2 .2*
.08
LDQ change between t2 and t3
treatment events between t1 and t2
treatment events between t2 and t3
* p<.05 (1-tailed)
9.2.8 Dependence, concurrent behaviours and functioning variables
Significant correlations between dependence and use, attempts to control use and psychological health were described in Chapter 8 and above in Chapter 9. Social satisfaction was measured using the Social Satisfaction Questionnaire (SSQ), described in Chapter 7, where the higher the score the greater the social dissatisfaction. This method of scoring the SSQ was chosen in order that higher scores on the three functioning variables (dependence, psychological health and social satisfaction) consistently denoted greater severity. There is however, scope for confusion when referring to “high scores on the Social Satisfaction Questionnaire” and this method of scoring has been reversed since the present study was conducted. For our purposes here, data are reported as collected. The correlation between dependence and social satisfaction at t1 was not a significant one but when the social satisfaction data were re-analysed in line with the two factors reported in the validation of the instrument in Chapter 7, significant correlations were found between total dependence score at t1 and scores for the second factor (consisting of items referring to activities outside the home). Significant correlations were found between each factor (the first consisting of home life and relationship items) at t2 and total dependence score at t2. Furthermore there was a significant negative correlation between the change score for dependence (dependence score at t1 minus dependence score at t2) and both social satisfaction factors at t2 when they were compared separately, that is the greater the change the lower the social dissatisfaction. Time 3 data once again showed significant correlations between the second factor and total dependence score as well as with the change score for the difference in dependence between t1 and t3 and t2 and t3. Thus social dissatisfaction, particularly when measured with reference to activities outside the home, is mainly significantly positively correlated with dependence, and significantly negatively correlated with change in dependence that has occurred (see Table 9.19). The question of whether social
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