The predictive utility of health preoccupations and outcome expectancies prior to benzodiazepine withdrawal

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the predictive utility of measuring health preoccupations and outcome expectancies prior to tapered benzodiazepine (BZD) withdrawal. Method: In an initial exploratory study, 44 adult participants (18–65) with a principal diagnosis of either anxiety or insomnia or both and wishing to discontinue BZD use were administered a Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Outcome Expectancy Scale (B-WOES) pre- and post-tapered withdrawal. Results: Two factors emerged from the health preoccupation section of the B-WOES: personal well-being and somatic concerns. A third subscale was derived from the section of the B-WOES measuring outcome expectancies if BZD were discontinued: an enhanced positive experience factor. A replication on a second independent sample of 38 adult participants (18–65) confirmed the three-factor structure. Conclusion: In the pooled data, the first two preoccupation subscales emerged as significant predictors of outcome following a tapered withdrawal program, so health preoccupations as well as outcome expectancies prior to discontinuation may impact on the discontinuation process.

• Benzodiazepine withdrawal
• outcome expectancies
• successful taper
• clinical scales

Notes

¹ Experts were three psychiatrists, one psychopharmacologist, and three psychologists actively involved in BZD taper.