Scale-Description

The University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale (URICA-32) – Psychotherapy Version is a psychometric tool used to assess an individual’s readiness and attitudes toward change in the therapeutic process. The URICA is based on the Stages of Change Model and evaluates the various phases an individual goes through when undergoing change, whether it involves modifying behavior or adopting new patterns of thinking.
The URICA-32 questionnaire consists of 32 statements, which participants are asked to rate on a Likert scale. The scale measures four main dimensions:
Precontemplation: The individual is unaware of or does not wish to make changes.
Contemplation: The individual has started thinking about change but is not yet committed.
Preparation: The individual is preparing to make specific changes in the near future.
Action: The individual has begun to make the necessary changes in their behavior or thinking.
The psychotherapy version is tailored to examine an individual’s readiness to commit to and actively participate in the therapeutic process.

Data Analysis and Usage

Data collected from the URICA-32 are analyzed to determine which stage of change the individual is in. The responses in each of the four dimensions are scored and compared to identify the dominant stage of change for the individual.
Key analyses include:
Factor analysis: To confirm the four dimensions of the change model and assess the structure of the scale.
Reliability analysis: Calculation of Cronbach’s alpha to assess the internal consistency of responses within each subscale.
Statistical analysis: To examine the relationship between the scale scores and other psychological or therapeutic variables, such as commitment to therapy, motivation for change, and therapy outcomes.
Data from the URICA-32 can be used to evaluate an individual’s readiness to engage in therapy and help therapists tailor their interventions according to the client’s stage of change.

Purpose

The primary goal of the URICA-32 is to assess an individual’s stage of readiness for change within the therapeutic process. This allows therapists to:
Identify the current stage of change the individual is in and frame the therapeutic work to meet the client’s needs.
Recognize potential barriers to engagement and participation in therapy.
Adjust techniques and interventions to support the individual’s progress through the subsequent stages of change.

Calibration

The calibration of the URICA-32 includes:
Reliability analysis to measure the internal consistency of the subscales (Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action), usually by calculating Cronbach’s alpha for each dimension.
Confirmatory factor analysis to ensure that the items on the scale accurately reflect the four dimensions of the stages of change.
Cross-validation in various populations to ensure the validity and generalizability of the scale across different clinical settings.

Bibliography

DiClemente, C. C., & Hughes, S. O. (1990). Stages of change profiles in outpatient alcoholism treatment. Journal of Substance Abuse, 2(2), 217-235.
McConnaughy, E. A., Prochaska, J. O., & Velicer, W. F. (1983). Stages of change in psychotherapy: Measurement and sample profiles. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice, 20(3), 368-375.
Prochaska, J. O., & DiClemente, C. C. (1984). The transtheoretical approach: Crossing traditional boundaries of therapy. Krieger Publishing Company.