Association between gender and marital status and confidence in remaining abstinent among alcohol abusers in treatment

Aims. To assess the importance of gender and marital status on self-efficac y expectancies of alcohol abusers in treatment. Design, participants and se tting. Cross-sectional study with a group of alcohol abusers in treatment ( n = 259, 56 women) at the Bergen Clinics Foundation, Norway. Measurements. The Situational Confidence Questionnaire was applied for the self-efficacy assessment. Findings. Self-reports of significant life problems were associ ated with low self-efficacy expectancies. Controlling for this, female abus ers scored significantly higher than their male counterparts on risk of rel apse in "positive emotional state" and "pleasant emotional states with othe rs". Conclusions. Situations perceived as being at high risk for relapse we re associated with gender and significant life problems. The findings have implications for a more differentiated approach in the relapse prevention t reatment programmes.