Facial Affect Recognition Accuracy in Inidividuals with Substance Use Disorders

Abstract

Substance use, like many human behaviors, occurs along a broad continuum from no use to extremely heavy use. Satisfactory interpersonal interaction involves understanding others' facial affect. There is a lack of research on facial affect recognition accuracy in individuals with substance use disorders. This archival study will seek to explore individuals with substance use disorders facial affect recognition accuracy. This archival study was conducted with data from 10 Project Working Recovery consumers. These consumers had met the admission criteria for PWR, including being at least 18 years old, presenting with a substance use disorder, and being psychiatrically and medically stable enough to receive services at the intensive outpatient level. Data was collected as part of Project Working Recovery's clinical service; consumers were informed of the objectives, benefits, and possible inconveniences prior to completing the Diagnostic Analysis of Nonverbal Accuracy 2-Adult Facial Expressions (DANVA2-AF). The DANVA2-AF was administered and consumers were asked to identify the facial affect of 24 stimuli. Demographic data and results from the DANVA2-AF were analyzed to explore the study objective.