title: The development, reliability, and validity of a rating scale of stage-based behavioral counseling for STD/HIV prevention.
abstract: This article reports on the development of a scale to evaluate skills for performing Stage-based Behavioral Counseling. This intervention is an adaptation of the Stage of Change/Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change Theory and is used to promote behavior change for STD and HIV prevention. Eleven essential skill items were identified that combine to characterize the overall skill of performing this method of behavioral counseling. Qualitative and quantitative descriptions were developed, yielding a methodology to evaluate varying levels of performance for each skill item. Correlation coefficients demonstrated high construct validity (.95), internal consistency (.95) and inter-rater reliability (.99) of the scale. This reliable and valid instrument can be used for implementing and maintaining the intervention, program quality assurance, and staff training.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Unit, Center for Health and Behavioral Training, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Peter L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: McGrath
authors.forename: Jeffrey C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Levenkron
authors.forename: Kerry L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Knox
authors.forename: Maureen P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Scahill
authors.forename: Kimberly S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Berkhoudt
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Coury-Doniger
mesh_terms: D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*; D003376:Counseling / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D009518:New York; D011361:Professional Competence; D015397:Program Evaluation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology