Description

The Decisional Balance Scales for Smoking are a psychometric tool used to evaluate the perceived advantages (pros) and disadvantages (cons) of smoking. This tool is based on the Transtheoretical Model of Change and helps in understanding the internal conflict that smokers experience as they consider whether to continue or quit smoking.

Analysis

The Decisional Balance Scales for Smoking include questions that assess the following dimensions:
Pros of Smoking:
Stress Relief: How smoking helps reduce stress and tension.
Social Acceptance: The perception that smoking facilitates social integration and acceptance by others.
Pleasure: The enjoyment and satisfaction derived from smoking.
Cons of Smoking:
Health: The negative health effects of smoking, such as respiratory diseases and cancer.
Financial Cost: The monetary expense associated with purchasing cigarettes.
Social and Interpersonal Consequences: The negative impact on relationships and social life due to smoking.

Purpose

The main purposes of the Decisional Balance Scales for Smoking are:
Assessing Smokers’ Attitudes: To understand how smokers weigh the pros and cons of smoking.
Supporting the Decision to Quit: To help individuals recognize their internal conflicts and strengthen their motivation to quit smoking.
Providing Data for Interventions: To provide data for the development of tailored interventions that support individuals in the smoking cessation process.
Monitoring Progress: To be used for tracking smokers’ progress during therapy or intervention.

Calibration

The calibration of the Decisional Balance Scales for Smoking is carried out based on participants’ responses to each question, which are evaluated using a Likert scale (e.g., from “Strongly Disagree” to “Strongly Agree”). The total score is obtained by summing the responses to the questions related to pros and cons. The scores are used to determine the relative weight an individual assigns to the advantages and disadvantages of smoking.

References

Prochaska, J.O., & DiClemente, C.C. (1983). Stages and processes of self-change of smoking: Toward an integrative model of change. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 51(3), 390–395.
Velicer, W.F., DiClemente, C.C., Prochaska, J.O., & Brandenburg, N. (1985). Decisional balance measure for assessing and predicting smoking status. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 48(5), 1279–1289.
Prochaska, J.O., Velicer, W.F., Guadagnoli, E., Rossi, J.S., & DiClemente, C.C. (1991). Patterns of change: dynamic typology applied to smoking cessation. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 26(1), 83–107.
Hall, S.M., Havassy, B.E., & Wasserman, D.A. (1990). Commitment to abstinence and acute stress in relapse to alcohol, opiates, and nicotine. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 58(2), 175–181.