Factor Structure of the Chinese Version of the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment in Taiwanese Adolescents Who Abuse MDMA or Methamphetamine

Abstract

Objective: The University of Rhode Island Change Assessment (URICA) is a widely used tool for measuring subjects’ readiness to change substance-using behaviors. The aim of this study was to examine the factor structure of the Chinese version of the URICA (C-URICA) in Taiwanese adolescents who have used methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or methamphetamine (MAMP). Methods: Pre-test and post-test data from the C-URICA from 92 adolescents in a juvenile abstinence center who had used MDMA or MAMP were analyzed. We used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to examine the adequacy of the factor structure of the C-URICA. Results: CFA indicated that a three-factor structure (pre-contemplation, contemplation + action, maintenance) had a better goodness of fit than four-factor (pre-contemplation, contemplation, action, maintenance), and one-factor structures. Conclusions: The results indicated that the URICA may have different factor structures when used in the population different from the original adult population with alcohol drinking.

Keywords :

• adolescent
• MDMA
• methamphetamine
• transtheoretical model of change

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This study was supported by a grant (NSC94-2413-H-037-004) from the National Science Council, Taiwan, ROC.

Declaration of Interests

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.