[Factor structure and validity of the Japanese version of SOCRATES (Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale) in adolescent delinquents placed in detention home].

Objective: Assessment of the degree of motivation for change in drug abusers is important in determining the optimal treatment modality for each patient. The Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES) is a 19 item instrument designed by Miller and Tonigan to provide quantitative assessment of the motivation for change in substance abusers. The object of the present study is to examine the factor structure and validity of the Japanese version of SOCRATES-8D (version 8 for drug abusers).

Methods: One hundred and five adolescent delinquents (81 male and 24 female) in a detention home were included in the study. The most frequently abused drug was cannabis in 43 percent of the delinquents, followed by methamphetamine in 20 percent and organic solvent in 18 percent. Exploratory factor analysis and validity analysis was performed to determine the factor structure and criterion-related validity.

Results: The two factor structure of the 13 item Japanese version was confirmed, namely 6 item "Ambivalence" and 7 item "Taking steps". Internal consistency was acceptable with the value of a over 0.85. Criterion-related validity was confirmed with significant negative correlation between the Self-Efficacy Scale (Morita et al.) and "Ambivalence" factor, and significant positive correlation with "Taking steps" factor. Also, there was significant positive correlation between the Japanese version of the Drug Abuse Screening Test (Skinner) and "Ambivalence" factor. The external validity of "Recognition" factor was not confirmed. Presumably the factor related to the recognition of oneself as an addict was absorbed in "Ambivalence" factor, due to the relatively less severe degree of drug dependence that is characteristic of the juvenile delinquents in detention homes.

Conclusion: The 13 item Japanese version of the SOCRATES-8D is valid and applicable to the substance abusing juvenile delinquents in detention homes. Further research with the inclusion of adult samples from addiction clinics is necessary to confirm the generalizability of the version.