The DUDIT-E as a Measure of Motivation to Change Substance Abuse Behavior

The adequacy of the DUDIT-E as a measure of motivation to changesubstance abuse behavior was assessed through analyses of itscomponent structure, internal consistency, concurrent validity, andpredictive validity. The sample consisted of 160 individuals withdiverse drug problems. The component analysis yielded a solution thatwas difficult to interpret and incongruent to the structure found inprevious research. Cronbach's alpha levels indicated that the sectionsof the DUDIT-E were sufficiently internally consistent. DUDIT-EMotivational index, Negative aspects of drug use, and Treatmentreadiness scores were positively correlated with SOCRATES Problemrecognition scores. DUDIT-E Motivational index scores werenegatively correlated with URICA Precontemplation stage scores.Contrary to assumptions of the DUDIT-E, lower Negative aspects ofdrug use scores predicted greater decreases of drug use at follow-upwhen regression towards the mean effects were controlled for.Lacking clarity regarding the conceptualization of motivation makesinterpretation of the results difficult. However, if a measure ofmotivation should predict action, the DUDIT-E seems to be more of aproblem insight measure