Alcohol and Alcoholism Advance Access originally published online on October 7, 2006
Alcohol and Alcoholism 2006 41(6):616-623; doi:10.1093/alcalc/agl082
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ASSESSING MOTIVATION FOR CHANGE IN SUBJECTS WITH ALCOHOL PROBLEMS: THE MAC2-A QUESTIONNAIRE
1 Department of Dependence, ASL 3, Genova, Italy, 2 Department of Dependence, ASL 20-22, Alessandria, Italy and 3 School of Specialization in Psychiatry, University of Genova, Italy
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed at: Department of Dependence Via Sampierdarena, 2 16149 Genova, Italy; Tel.: +39 347 3130199; Fax: +39 010 3447016; E-mail: spiller{at}fastwebnet.it
(Received 28 February 2006; first review notified 29 May 2006; in revised form 5 September 2006; accepted 5 September 2006)
Aims: This article presents the validation study of a questionnaire (MAC2-A), created to assess motivation for change in Italian adult subjects with alcohol related problems who require or are referred for assessment and treatment. The questionnaire evaluates readiness to change (RTC), self-efficacy and discrepancy. Methods: The questionnaire was validated on 419 subjects referred to 23 health agencies in Italy. Results: The questionnaire showed good internal consistency and temporal stability. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis confirms the consistency with the theoretical assumptions. Testretest showed high reliability on all scales except one. Visual analogue control scales used for reliability and concurrent validity yielded strong correlations with the corresponding variables. Conclusion: The study confirms the validity of the instrument, and its consistency with the model. The MAC2-A questionnaire is the first psychometric instrument integrating three factors (discrepancy, self-efficacy, RTC) into a 3D model of motivation for change.