The Effects of Self-Regulation and Self-Efficacy on Substance Use Abstinence

Abstract

Previous research found that self-regulation and self-efficacy were linked to substance use abstinence. The present study examined the relationships between changes in self-regulation and self-efficacy as predictors of substance use abstinence. A total of 150 adult individuals (62% female; M age = 37.1 SD = 8.1; 38% male) in substance abuse recovery participated in a randomized, longitudinal study comparing a communal housing model versus usual aftercare. Both the change in self-regulation (<i>p</i> = .014) and the change in self-efficacy (<i>p</i> = .032) were significantly predictive of the likelihood of abstinence. Additionally, changes in self-regulation and self-efficacy were largely independent. These findings suggest future research for examining change in self-regulation and self-efficacy substance abuse research.