The relationship between self-efficacy,readiness to change,and AUDIT risk levels in a sample of active duty emergency department patients |
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Authors: | Mark B Reed Susan I Woodruff Megan Holt Gerard DeMers Michael Mattuecci Suzanne L Hurtado |
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Institution: | 1. School of Social Work, San Diego State University, San Diego, California;2. Center for Alcohol and Drug Research Studies and Services, San Diego State University, San Diego, California;3. Department of Emergency Medicine-EMS Division, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland;4. Department of Emergency Medicine, US Naval Hospital Rota, Cádiz, Spain;5. Health and Behavioral Sciences Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, Calilfornia |
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Abstract: | The purpose of this study was to test the relationship between self-efficacy, readiness to change, and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) risk levels in a sample of active duty drinkers who were seeking care in a military emergency department. Civilian health educators screened participants for alcohol use with the AUDIT and collected sociodemographic, service, and drinking-related cognitions data from active duty patients admitted to an emergency department. A total of 787 active duty military personnel participated in the study. Almost half (48%) drank at least once a week and 32% reported consuming five or more alcoholic drinks during a typical drinking episode. One in five participants reported heavy episodic drinking weekly to almost daily. Results of a multinomial logistic regression model showed that active duty service members with a self-reported diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder since joining the military were more likely to be an at-risk or high/severe risk drinker relative to a low risk drinker. Higher controlled drinking self-efficacy was associated with a decrease in the odds of being either an at-risk or high/severe risk drinker. Increased readiness to reduce drinking was associated with an increase in the odds of being either an at risk or high/severe risk drinker. The results of this research suggest self-efficacy to control one’s heavy drinking as well as readiness to change may be important factors to consider when designing alcohol education programs within the military. |
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Keywords: | Military alcohol misuse SBIRT BAIs |
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