The relationship of self-efficacy expectancies to relapse among alcohol dependent men and women: A prospective study

Objective: We studied the relationship of self-efficacy expectancies measur ed during inpatient alcohol treatment and lime to first drink and rime to r elapse following hospitalization. We also examined whether the relationship of in-hospital self-efficacy and posttreatment drinking outcome differed b y gender. Method: We measured self-efficacy expectancies using the Situatio nal Confidence Questionnaire (SCQ) in 100 subjects (59 men) during inpatien t treatment for alcohol dependence. We followed subjects monthly for 1 year and examined the relationship of their in-hospital SCQ scores to posttreat ment drinking behavior, as measured by time to first drink, time to relapse and percent abstinent days. Results: Self-efficacy during hospitalization was related to relapse during the 12 months following hospitalization. Surv ival analysis demonstrated that in-hospital SCQ scores greater than 45 were predictive of better drinking outcomes. The median number of days to relap se after treatment were 30 and 135, respectively, in those with in-hospital SCQ scores less than or equal to 45 compared with those with SCQ scores gr eater than 45. There were no gender differences in self-efficacy measured d uring hospitalization, nor were there gender differences in the relationshi p of self-efficacy to time to relapse. However, men with SCQ scores less th an or equal to 45 had fewer abstinent days during follow-up. Conclusions: A mong both men and women being treated for alcohol dependence, a cut-off sco re of 45 on the SCQ may be especially important in helping clinicians asses s patients who are at high risk for more rapid return to drinking after hos pitalization.