Adaptation of the Readiness to Change Questionnaire

Abstract

The Readiness to Change Questionnaire (RCQ) was devised by Rollnick, Heather, Gold and Hall (1992) for use with problem drinkers, as a quick and easy measure of their stage of readiness to change. The RCQ's introduction to New Zealand alcohol treatment agencies was initially welcomed. However, difficulties with the interpretation of certain of its items, particularly those associated with the Precontemplation subscale, were soon noted, and were seen to detract from the usefulness of the instrument. The main aims of this research were to establish where the sources of potential difficulty in the RCQ lay, and to adapt particular items in such a way as to eliminate or at least reduce these. The hypothesis that certain items would pose greater difficulties for some ethnic groups than for others was also explored in a preliminary way. The research proceeded in three phases. In Phase One the RCQ in its original form was trialed (N=148). Data were analysed for the group as a whole and also by ethnicity. Results, while satisfactory overall, showed scope for improvement in some areas. An adapted version of the RCQ was formulated, and trialed in Phase Two of the research (N=128). Although some items showed improvements, two were detrimentally affected, and results overall were disappointing. A third and final version of the RCQ, comprising the best items from each of the original and adapted versions, was trialed in Phase Three (N=150). Results for this phase were more impressive, showing the final, revised RCQ to have good psychometric properties. The Precontemplation subscale was particularly improved.