Readiness to change in a clinical sample of problem drinkers: relation to alcohol use, self-efficacy, and treatment outcome

Abstract

According to the transtheoretical model of behaviour change, individuals addicted to psychotropic drugs typically cycle through a sequence of five discrete stages (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance) before achieving sustained long-term abstinence and moderation, respectively. A number of English-language questionnaires have been developed to assess client motivation in accordance with the stages of change approach. The present study aimed to expand the research on the transtheoretical model by establishing the factor structure of a German-language version of the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES) in a large sample of alcohol-dependent inpatients (n = 350). Furthermore, the relation of client motivation to alcohol use, self-efficacy and treatment outcome at 3-month follow-up was examined. Exploratory factor analysis revealed three separate dimensions of readiness to change (Taking Steps, Recognition, and Ambivalence). The factorial structure of the German-language SOCRATES corresponded almost exactly to that of the original version. Readiness to change accounted for 9.4% of the variance in treatment outcome. Moreover, readiness to change was positively related to pretreatment self-efficacy.