Motivation to change? : psychometric properties of SOCRATES and URICA, the extent of substance abuse and motivation to change among people with early onset psychosis

Substance use disorder (SUD) is one of the most common comorbid problems in people with psychosis, commonly called dual diagnosis. According to epidemiological research between 40% and 60% of patients with psychotic disorders abuse substances. The main research aim was to evaluate the Icelandic translation of URICA and SOCRATES to measure the different stages of motivation in young people with early onset psychosis and comorbid substance abuse. A second objective was to examine the extent of substance abuse problems and motivation to change at Laugarásinn, treatment center for young people with early onset psychosis. The 27 participants from Laugarásinn answered questionnaires assessing the severity of alcohol and drug abuse as well as their motivation to change that use. A diagnostic interview MINI-Plus was also administrated to assess participants primary diagnosis as well as substance use disorders. Results indicate that the Icelandic translation of URICA and SOCRATES are valid as screening tools for measures of the different stages of motivation in young people with early onset psychosis and comorbid substance abuse. The questionnaires proved to have good to excellent reliability in addition to acceptable concurrent and divergent validity. According to MINI, AUDIT and DUDIT 55,6% of all the participants had substance dependence. Participants responses on URICA and SOCRATES show high mean scores on action and taking steps subscales whereas relative lower mean scores on ambivalence subscale indicating high levels of motivation to change their drug use. Keywords: Psychometric properties, substance use disorder, motivation, early onset psychosis