Effects of a Nonviolent Communication-based training program for inpatient alcoholics in South Korea

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate a communication skills program based on Nonviolent Communication targeted on inpatient alcoholics at the alcoholics specialized ward.

Design and Methods: The sample for this mixed methods quasi-experimental study comprised 47 patients who were hospitalized in the alcoholic wards of two psychiatric hospitals in South Korea.

Findings: The program effectively improved participants' empathy, anger expression, communication competence, and alcohol abstinence self-efficacy (p <.001).

Practice implications: This program could be implemented in community-based alcoholic care with the aim of preventing relapse and serve as the basis for developing similar programs for family members.

Keywords: abstinence self-efficacy; alcoholics; anger; empathy; nonviolent communication.