Influence of Drinking related Locus of Control on motivation to change alcohol drinking behavior, as observed in Kathmandu, Nepal.

ABSTRACT

Introduction

With the ever-increasing prevalence of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in Nepal and elsewhere in Asia, it is imperative to study factors that motivate individuals to change their drinking behavior and aid in the recovery process.

Methods

The study was conducted among 225 consenting male patients with AUD admitted at various drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers in Kathmandu, Nepal. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess socio-demographic characteristics, drinking-related locus of control (LOC), and motivation to change drinking behavior. Multivariate regression analysis was used to examine the influence of drinking-related LOC on motivation to change drinking behavior.

Results

Around 75% of patients with AUD were observed to have external LOC. A statistically significant association was found between drinking-related LOC and motivation to change drinking behavior, where those with internal LOC were at least 2.5 times more likely to be better motivated to change their drinking behavior in comparison to those with external LOC.

Discussion

Interventions with a focus on shifting LOC from external to internal are likely to improve the motivation of patients with AUD and aid in the recovery process. However, studies with a longitudinal design may be needed to further consolidate the findings from this study.

KEYWORDS:

• Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
• locus of control (LOC)
• Drinking Related Internal-External Locus of Control Scale (DRIE)
• University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale (URICA)

Authors contributions

Pranab Dahal contributed to designing the study, conducting the study, and writing the manuscript.

Pallavi Koirala contributed to conducting the study (data collection, data entry) and also in writing the manuscript.

Naowarat Kanchanakhan Ph.D assisted and guided in the capacity of advisor during the designing of the study, as well as conducting data analysis.

Nuchanad Hounnaklang Ph.D assisted in data analysis and in the capacity of statistics advisor.

Declaration of interest

With the submission of the manuscript I would like to undertake that the above-mentioned manuscript has not been published in another journal, or under editorial review for publication in another journal and that all co-authors below have seen and approved the manuscript above for submission.

There are no financial conflicts regarding the submission of the manuscript.

Data availability statement

The datasets used and/or analyzed can be made available upon by request by the corresponding author.

Ethical approval

Ethical approval was obtained before conducting the study. Ethical approval was granted by the Government of Nepal, Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC) on September 15, 2019 (Reg. No. 728/2019).