title: A comparison of general self-efficacy and drinking refusal self-efficacy in predicting drinking behavior.
abstract: A number of studies have suggested that task specific self-efficacy has more influence over behavior than general self-efficacy. However, little research has compared the impact of task-specific self-efficacy beliefs to the impact of general self-efficacy in predicting alcohol consumption. This study aimed to compare the contribution of general self-efficacy and drinking refusal self-efficacy (a form of task-specific self-efficacy) to volume and frequency of alcohol consumption. Regression analyses were performed in samples of community (n = 298) and clinical (n = 296) drinkers. Overall, drinking refusal self-efficacy was found to be a significant predictor of alcohol consumption in the community sample, while general self-efficacy was found to be a significant predictor of drinking in the clinical sample. These differences highlight the differential roles of general and task specific self-efficacy in governing drinking behavior and suggest future directions for prevention and treatment of alcohol problems.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Tian P S
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Oei
authors.forename: Penelope
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hasking
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires