Effects of group therapy on chemically dependent women's self-efficacy

To determine effects of experiential and cognitive group therapy on self-efficacy of chemically dependent women.

This quasi-experimental study indicated differences in the effects of cognitive and experiential group therapy on perceptions of general and social self-efficacy in 52 recovering chemically dependent women living in a Midwestern urban area of the United States. Two additional groups of women were recruited for control groups. One control group (n = 34) consisted of chemically dependent women from the same sites who did not participate in the treatment programs. The second control group consisted of working women (n = 35) who were matched to the chemically dependent women on age, race, and gender, and who self-reported not being chemically dependent and never having used illegal drugs. All participants completed the Self-Efficacy Scale, and both experimental groups (cognitive and experimental) participated in six 90-minute group therapy sessions.

A statistically significant difference was found for general self-efficacy among the four groups. The chemically dependent control group women had significantly lower scores on general self-efficacy than did the other three groups. The chemically dependent treatment groups had significantly higher levels of general self-efficacy than did the chemically dependent control group. Social self-efficacy did not differ among treatment and control groups.

Strengthening chemically dependent women's self-efficacy beliefs to deal effectively with a variety of situations and tasks can increase their confidence that they can be productive and accomplish their goals.