Outcome and efficacy expectancy in the prediction of post‐treatment drinking behaviour

Abstract

A recent controversy in research on self-efficacy theory has been directed at the role of outcome and efficacy expectancies in the prediction of behaviour. While Bandura maintains that outcome expectancies add little information to prediction beyond that explained by efficacy expectations, others disagree. The present study explored the efficacy-outcome expectancy relationship in a population of alcoholic clients as they moved through a traditional treatment program and were contacted following a three-month aftercare period. Results indicated that outcome expectancies (defined as the costs and benefits expected to result from a change in drinking) did not predict consumption at follow-up. However, self-efficacy (defined as confidence in being able to resist the urge to drink heavily) assessed at intake of treatment, was strongly associated with the level of consumption on drinking occasions at follow-up. These findings are discussed in relation to the relevance of self-efficacy theory to research and treatment of alcoholic patients.

Quality of life, alcohol detoxification and relapse: Is quality of life a predictor of relapse or only a secondary outcome measure?

“…To date, more than 30 baseline variables have been identified and clustered into sociodemographic, alcohol-related and clinical domains [19,20]. Some studies have reported that certain variables that are commonly used as primary outcomes may have predictive value, including baseline alcohol consumption [21][22][23][24], dependence severity [24][25][26][27] and history of previous treatment or intervention [23,[28][29][30]. Only one such study has investigated whether relapse can be predicted by measuring baseline QOL, using the Life Situation Survey (LSS) in a small sample of alcohol-dependent patients, but this approach failed to identify any significant predictors [4].…”

The treatment of recurrent abdominal pain in children: A controlled comparison of cognitive-behavioral family intervention and standard pediatric care.

“…Third, few studies in any area of child psychotherapy or pain management research have assessed or controlled for the comparability of expectancies for improvement invoked by different randomized conditions before receiving treatment (Bandura, 1986;McGlynn & McDonnell, 1974;Solomon & Annis, 1990). This is a particular problem when one condition is perceived to be innovative and hence potentially more advantageous to be randomized into.…”

Explorations of Self-Efficacy: Personal Narratives as Qualitative Data in the Analysis of Smoking Cessation Efforts

“…Similarly, in a study examining control self-efficacy with inpatient subjects, Solomon and Annis (1990) found that a patient's confidence in his or her ability to abstain from drinking was heightened during treatment. In addition, the researchers found that the level of self-efficacy upon a patient's admission to a treatment program was strongly linked to the individual's daily alcohol intake three months following the treatment.…”