The Predictive Utility of Health Preoccupations and Outcome Expectancies Prior to Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the predictive utility of measuring health preoccupations and outcome expectancies prior to tapered benzodiazepine (BZD) withdrawal. Method: In an initial exploratory study, 44 adult participants (18–65) with a principal diagnosis of either anxiety or insomnia or both and wishing to discontinue BZD use were administered a Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Outcome Expectancy Scale (B-WOES) pre- and post-tapered withdrawal. Results: Two factors emerged from the health preoccupation section of the B-WOES: personal well-being and somatic concerns. A third subscale was derived from the section of the B-WOES measuring outcome expectancies if BZD were discontinued: an enhanced positive experience factor. A replication on a second independent sample of 38 adult participants (18–65) confirmed the three-factor structure. Conclusion: In the pooled data, the first two preoccupation subscales emerged as significant predictors of outcome following a tapered withdrawal program, so health preoccupations as well as outcome expectancies prior to discontinuation may impact on the discontinuation process.
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Successful withdrawal depends on the individual's level of confidence in their ability to manage their psychological states without the use of substances.
“Successful withdrawal also depends on the individual’s level of confidence in their ability to manage their psychological states without the use of substances [113,114,115].”
From Cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy for the discontinuation of long-term benzodiazepine use in insomnia and anxiety disorders (2021) · cites this paper as [114]
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- Authors
- O'Connor, K., Bélanger, L., Aardema, F., Pérodeau, G., & Harel, F.
- Affiliations
- Université Laval (CA)
- Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal (CA)
- Université du Québec en Outaouais (CA)
- Hôtel-Dieu de Québec (CA)
- Venue
- Journal of Substance Use
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2012-03-09
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 122-133
- ISSN
- 1465-9891 (ISSN-L)
- 1475-9942
- OpenAlex
- W2127318963
- Cited by
- 4
- References
- 50
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2016: 1
- FWCI
- 0.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Substance Use (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
- Keywords
- benzodiazepine withdrawal, outcome expectations, benzodiazepine tapering, anxiety, insomnia, somatic symptoms, personal well-being, positive experiences
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