Self-Efficacy as a Factor in Abstinence from Alcohol/Other Drug Abuse: A Meta-Analysis
Abstract
Increased self-efficacy or confidence to remain abstinent has been identified as one mechanism explaining behavior change, with investigations of this mechanism occurring most frequently in prospective mutual-help research. This study meta-analytically combined 11 studies to address critical questions about the nature and magnitude of change in self-efficacy in predicting drinking reductions among 12-step exposed individuals. Findings suggested that changes in self-efficacy were not uniform within Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and that the magnitude of benefit associated with increased self-efficacy on outcome was not homogenous across studies. Whether this finding was the result of a measurement artifact, such as different self-efficacy measures, the nature of the samples, or the follow-up interval is not clear. Additional work is necessary to identify the nature of this mediating effect, and to uncover the extent that this effect varies by the kind and severity of substance abuse.
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Meta-analyses indicate that taking part in 12-step programs modestly reduces substance use.
“Meta-analytic reviews of 12-step research show a modest benefit of 12-step participation on reduced AOD use (Forcehimes and Tonigan, 2008).”
From Social anxiety and peer helping in adolescent addiction treatment (2015) · cites this paper as Forcehimes and Tonigan, 2008
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- Authors
- Forcehimes, A. A., & Tonigan, J. S.
- ORCID
- Tonigan, J. Scott
- Venue
- Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2008-09-22
- Volume
- 26
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 480-489
- ISSN
- 0734-7324 (ISSN-L)
- 1544-4538
- OpenAlex
- W2070781387
- Cited by
- 53
- References
- 27
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 3 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 0.36
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Homelessness and Social Issues
- Keywords
- self-efficacy, alcohol abstinence, substance abuse, self-help groups, Alcoholics Anonymous, 12-step programs, alcohol consumption reduction, behavior change, mediating effect
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