title: Specific classes of symptoms predict readiness to change scores among dually diagnosed patients.
abstract: The Transtheoretical Stages of Change model hypothesizes that disadvantages of substance abuse must outweigh advantages before change occurs. This study examined whether substance-related sequelae predicted readiness to change scores. A total of 150 dually diagnosed patients were administered the CAGE questionnaire (CAGE is an acronym for questions about substance use: Cutting down, Annoyed by criticism, feel Guilty, Early morning usage), which was scored for mood and behavior symptoms; a checklist of 12 physical, intrapersonal, and environmental symptoms; and the Brief Readiness to Change questionnaire (RTC). Regression analyses suggested that more physical and mood symptoms were predictive of higher total RTC (R2 = .11); physical, mood, and behavioral symptoms were predictive of higher contemplation scores (R2 = .17), whereas fewer physical symptoms were predictive of higher precontemplation scores (R2 = .05). The results suggest that the relative severity of physical, mood, and behavior symptoms may be important factors related to the contemplation of change among dually diagnosed patients.
authors.affiliation: University of Washington, Seattle, USA. awblume@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Blume
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Schmaling
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009042:Motivation; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013695:Temperance / Q000523:psychology