Examining the effects of alcoholism typology and AA attendance on self-efficacy as a mechanism of change.
OBJECTIVE
Existing research indicates that increased self-efficacy to sustain abstinence is a strong causal mechanism explaining later reduction of drinking. Little is known about how mechanisms of change may differ among distinct subgroups of alcoholics. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mediational role of self-efficacy on changes in drinking associated with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) attendance in Type-A and Type-B alcoholics.


METHODS
Analysis of covariance and structural equation modeling were used to model 6-, 9-, 12-, and 15-month data from Project MATCH (Matching Alcoholism Treatments to Client Heterogeneity) participants who were classified as Type-A or Type-B alcoholics (N=1,284; 72% male). Measures of AA attendance and percent days abstinent were taken from the Form 90. Self- efficacy was assessed with the Alcohol Abstinence Self-Efficacy Scale.


RESULTS
Alcoholism typology and AA attendance were independent predictors of later self-efficacy, but there was no interaction between typology and AA attendance. Abstinence self-efficacy mediated a modest proportion of the effect of posttreatment AA attendance on later abstinence in both Type-A and Type-B alcoholics. The strength of this mediation did not differ by typology.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-efficacy for abstinence has a strong direct relationship to abstinence across treatment conditions and typologies. Increases in self-efficacy mediate some of the beneficial effects of AA for Type-A and Type-B alcoholics. Further work is necessary to determine whether self-efficacy plays a different role in the recovery of Type-A versus Type-B alcoholics.
Bogenschutz
Michael P
MP
Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse and Addictions (CASAA), University of New Mexico, 2650 Yale SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106, USA. mbogenschutz@salud.unm.edu
Tonigan
J Scott
JS
Miller
William R
WR
D000328:Adult; D000436:Alcoholics Anonymous; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010349:Patient Compliance; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013695:Temperance; D016896:Treatment Outcome