Social-cognitive predictors of intended and actual benzodiazepine cessation among chronic benzodiazepine users.
Long-term benzodiazepine use is associated with a variety of negative health consequences. Cessation of long-term use is therefore an important health goal. In a prospective study among chronic benzodiazepine users (N=356) social-cognitive factors of benzodiazepine cessation were examined with a nine-month follow-up. Results showed that outcome expectations, self-efficacy and disengagement beliefs predicted intention, and that intention in turn predicted benzodiazepine cessation. More specifically, benzodiazepine users reported a more positive intention to quit when they perceived more positive consequences and fewer negative consequences of cessation. In addition, a higher self-efficacy to quit and lower disengagement beliefs related to lower higher intention. Intention, in turn was the only significant psychosocial predictor of actual quitting at 9 months. The implications of these results will be discussed in terms of possible intervention strategies.
Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Leiden University, the Netherlands. tenwolde@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
Geeske B
GB
Ten Wolde
Arie
A
Dijkstra
Pepijn
P
Van Empelen
Arie Knuistingh
AK
Neven
Frans G
FG
Zitman
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003071:Cognition; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012931:Social Environment; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines