Self-efficacy and alcohol relapse
Abstract
This study investigated the role of self-efficacy judgments as related to abstinence/relapse behavior after inpatient treatment for alcoholism. Research on the role of perceived self-efficacy as it relates to "performance" behavior and relapse theory was presented to establish a rational for examining the proposed relationship between self-efficacy judgments and abstinence or relapse. The Situational Confidence Questionnaire (SCQ) and the Alcohol Confidence Questionnaire (ACQ) were used to assess self-efficacy, and a structured interview was developed to provide information on posttreatment relapse rates as well as situational analysis of an individual's relapse. It was hypothesized that self-efficacy measured at discharge from treatment would be significantly related to drinking status 3 months after discharge. It was further hypothesized that discharge self-efficacy would predict drinking status better than demographic data. Further, it was proposed, among those who relapsed, the lowest self-efficacy subscale score at discharge would match the relapse situation at follow-up. The 87 subjects who participated in the study were from four different rehabilitation facilities, all providing similar, traditional inpatient alcohol treatment. At the completion of treatment subjects were asked to complete the SCQ to assess predischarge self-efficacy ratings and participate in a structured interview to provide demographic information. Subjects were contacted at the 3-month posttreatment period and were asked to complete the ACQ in order to assess posttreatment self-efficacy. They were also asked to participate in a structured interview regarding their drinking behavior since discharge from treatment. A statistical analysis revealed no significant relationship between the SCQ or any other predischarge variables and the follow-up drinking status; only the follow-up self-efficacy score (ACQ) had a significant relationship with the follow-up drinking status. Among those who abstained, there was a significant increase in self-efficacy. Among those who relapsed, there was a 71% match between the lowest self-efficacy subscale score at discharge and the overall nature of the relapse situation at follow-up.
Subject Area
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Pascale, Claudia, "Self-efficacy and alcohol relapse" (1989). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI8918455.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI8918455
