The aim of the study is to determine which factors are associated with
abstinence in alcoholics. Observational and cross-sectional studies were
carried out to study the relationships between causal attributions, selfefficacy
and locus of control expectancies, and coping behavior in the
problem of alcohol abuse, on the one hand, and abstinence, on the other.
Chronicity and background variables are also analyzed. Participants
w e re 201 alcoholics in outpatient treatment. Correlation analysis
revealed close relationship among the psychological variables, as well as
between these variables and abstinence: longer periods of abstinence
were associated with more positive causal attributions, higher self-efficacy,
internal locus of control, and more active coping behavior. A hierarchical
regression analysis was also performed, showing that certain attributions,
self-efficacy, and locus of control accounted for abstinence, but
coping did not. Background did not reveal any association, but attending
treatment and self-help groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, did.
Because of their relationship, it is suggested that cognitive variables
should be enhanced in treatment.