Development of a drug use resistance self-efficacy (DURSE) scale.

Objectives: To develop and evaluate psychometric properties of a new instrument, the drug use resistance self-efficacy (DURSE) scale, designed for young adolescents.

Methods: Scale construction occurred in 3 phases: (1) initial development, (2) pilot testing of preliminary items, and (3) final scale administration among a sample of seventh graders (n=223) to examine psychometric properties.

Results: DURSE items appeared to tap a unique dimension of resistance self-efficacy. Initial psychometric properties of the scale were satisfactory.

Conclusions: The DURSE scale may offer an opportunity to measure important, as yet untapped, constructs related to adolescents' abilities to refuse substance use in social contexts.