Development of the Pretreatment Readiness Scale for Substance Abusers: Modification of an Existing Motivation Assessment

Richard C. Rapp, Carey J. A. Carr, D. Timothy Lane, Cristina Redko, Robert G. Carlson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The Texas Christian University--Treatment Motivation Assessment (TCU-TMA) was originally developed to assess motivation among in-treatment opiod users. Numerous studies of in-treatment substance abusers in a variety of settings have confirmed the three factors present in the scale, including Problem Recognition, Desire For Help, and Treatment Readiness. The goal of the present study was to examine the factor structure of the TCU-TMA in a sample of 367 pretreatment substance abusers assessed at a centralized intake unit who had not yet entered treatment. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses led to the development of the Pretreatment Readiness Scale (PRS) that, like the TCU-TMA, contained Problem Recognition and Treatment Readiness factors. Desire for Change replaced Desire for Help in the new scale and Treatment Reluctance indicated mixed feelings about entering treatment. The implications of these findings on developing interventions for the pretreatment group will be discussed.

Original languageAmerican English
JournalSubstance Abuse
Volume29
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2008

Keywords

  • Motivation
  • Substance Abuse
  • Treatment Readiness

Disciplines

  • Community Health
  • Community Health and Preventive Medicine

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