The Effects of Group Counseling Utilizing Narrative Therapy on Self-esteem, Stress Response, and Insight for Individuals with Alcohol Dependency

ABSTRACT

Alcoholism is a serious problem that is difficult to treat. This study investigated the effects of group counseling utilizing narrative therapy on self-esteem, stress response, and insight for alcoholism. We utilized a nonequivalent control group, non-synchronized design. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Fisher’s exact test, Chi-squared test, independent and paired t-tests, and repeated measures ANOVA. The experimental group showed significant improvements in self-esteem (F = 14.03, p < .001), stress response (F = 4.31, p <.05), and insight (F = 21.27, p < .001) after the intervention compared with the control group. Additionally, there were significant improvements in self-esteem (t = −6.32, p < .05), stress response (t = 4.93, p < .05), and insight (t = −5.02, p <. 05) within the experimental group after the intervention. Thus, narrative therapy is recommended as an autonomous regulation approach for developing strengths necessary to refrain from alcoholism.

KEYWORDS:

• Alcohol dependency
• narrative therapy
• self-esteem
• stress response
• insight
• creativity in counseling

Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. So Hee Kwon and Dr. Yu Jeong Kim for revising initial versions of the manuscript. This article is a condensed form of Jae Wan Park’s master’s thesis, Kyungpook National University. We also thank all study participants.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request and research data are not shared.

Additional information

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.