title: Development and validation of the Theoretical Orientation Scale for Clinicians: reflecting solution-focused principles.
abstract: This article describes the development and validation of the 40-item Theoretical Orientation Scale for Clinicians (TOSCsF), an instrument designed to (a) operationalize attitudes towards the principles of solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT), and (b) assess clinicians' endorsement of this therapeutic approach. Participants (N=284) were members of the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) who responded (63%) to a mail questionnaire containing the TOSCsF. Reliability (Cronbach's alpha = .82) and validity of scores on the TOSCsF are examined in light of the detection of an acquiescent response pattern in 40 respondents. A subsequent three-factor structure derived from a principal components analysis (accounting for 28% of the variance) suggests modest, but positive, support for the construct validity of the TOSCsF. Recommendations for further refinement of the instrument are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Counseling and Human Development Services, College of Education, Kent State University, OH 44242, USA. cosborn@Kent.edu
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Osborn
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Johanson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D011364:Professional Practice; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires