SELF-EFFICACY, OUTCOME EXPECTATIONS, AND FANTASIES AS PREDICTORS OF ALCOHOLICS POSTTREATMENT DRINKING

The usefulness of distinguishing between alcoholic patients' expectati ons and their fantasies about treatment outcome was examined. Results at 6 and 12 months follow-up did not support the results of research w ith nonalcoholic participants which related better outcomes to a combi nation of positive expectations and negative fantasies about future dr ink-related situations. Higher self-efficacy expectancy at intake, how ever, was associated with better clinical outcome. Findings supported Bandura's (1986) contention that outcome expectations add little infor mation on prediction beyond that explained by self-efficacy expectancy . The clinical implications of these results are discussed.