Illness severity and self-efficacy as course predictors of DSM-IV alcohol dependence in a multisite clinical sample.
Illness severity and self-efficacy are two constructs of growing interest as predictors of clinical response in alcoholism. Using alternative measures of illness severity (DSM-IV symptom count, Alcohol Dependence Scale, and Addiction Severity Index) and self-efficacy (brief version of the Situational Confidence Questionnaire) rigorously controlled for theoretically important background variables, we studied their unique contribution to multiple indices of relapse, relapse latency, and use of alternative coping behaviors in a large, heterogeneous clinical sample. The Alcohol Dependence Scale contributed to the prediction of 4 of 5 relapse indicators. The SCQ failed to predict relapse behavior or its precursor, coping response. The findings emphasize the predictive validity of severity of dependence as a course specifier and underline the need for more sensitive and externally valid measures of cognitive processes such as self-efficacy for application in future studies of posttreatment behavior.
Langenbucher
J
J
Research Diagnostic Project, Rutgers University.
Sulesund
D
D
Chung
T
T
Morgenstern
J
J
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012008:Recurrence; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016019:Survival Analysis