The Development and Exploration of a Twelve-Factor Model of Motivations for Using Substances

The existing literature suggests inconsistent and limited application of various salient motives to use substances across substance classes and has been further limited by only measuring substance use motives by the frequency at which one uses for a given reason. The purpose of this study was the development and initial validation of the Motivations for Substance Use Questionnaire (MUSQ). The MUSQ was intended to be a more comprehensive measure identifying motives to use that have been selectively included in some measures and expanding the breadth of substances addressed. We also aimed to index and test cognitive aspects of the motives (i.e., wanting, and liking and satisfaction) for use-related patterns. Factor analysis (n = 367) indicated that the MUSQ was characterized by 12 factors: Reduce Anxiety/Unpleasant Arousal, Conformity, Effects of Other Substances, Relative Low Risk, Positive Social Interactions, Rebellion, Altered Perceptions/Experiential Processes, Performance/Arousal Enhancement, Increase Positive Affect, Manage Negative Social Interactions, Reduce Negative Affect, and Substitution. Regressions supported the predictability of wanting, but not liking and satisfaction, for severity and change variables. Canonical correlations were conducted to assess incremental validity of the MUSQ but were limited due to small effects and sample sizes. ANOVAs suggested salient motives differed by drug of choice. This measure may direct motivational interviewing dialogue by supporting change talk and may expand the current understanding of substance use motivation