Stadien der Veränderung in der stationären Alkoholentwöhnungstherapie

Stages of Change in Alcohol Inpatient Treatment Aim: The validity of the ''Stages of Change'' approach was tested in alcohol inpatient long-term treatment. Methods: Reliability, factor structure, and construct validity of the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale (URICA, German version) was examined using cross-sectional (N = 265) and longitudinal data (N = 108). Results: Scale reliability proved to be satisfying, except for the precontemplation scale. Factorial validity was insufficient for the contemplation and the maintenance scale. Cluster analyses revealed a three-cluster solution not in accordance with the model and included a cluster of ''uninvolved patients''. URICA-scores were correlated with therapy motivation, but predictive validity with respect to duration of treatment and prediction of relapse was not confirmed. Conclusions: The model proved to be of heuristic value but is not yet a valid basis for practical decisions. Models which are directed more specifically towards a particular treatment group or setting are expected to be more successful.