[Coping self-efficacy against alcohol and other drugs use as treatment outcome predictor and its relation with personality dimensions: evaluation of a sample of addicts using DTCQ, VIP and MCM-II].

Perceived self-efficacy in being able to resist taking drugs when faced with situations of stress or social pressure was studied using the Drug Taking Confidence Questionnaire (DTCQ; Annis and Martin, 1985). In general, stronger self-efficacy is associated with the achievement of therapeutic objectives. We studied the predictive capacity of this questionnaire, administered at the beginning of treatment to a sample of substance-addicts in respect of compliance with objectives. We made a psychometric study of the instrument and its relationship with personality variables assessed with MCMI-II and VIP Data suggest that: (1) 50 DTCQ items can be reduced to 8 and even to 3 in order to achieve the same results, (2) self-efficacy at the beginning of treatment only predicts outcomes in the short-term, and (3) self-efficacy is a characteristic that is explained on the basis of personality structure. The best results are obtained from intermediate self-efficacy scores, whereas very low or very high scores predict poor outcome levels and display strong correlations with psychopathologic variables.