Description

    Decision making was conceptualized by Janis and Mann (1977) as a decisional "balance sheet" of comparative potential gains and losses. Two components of decisional balance, the pros and the cons, have become critical constructs in the transtheoretical model. The balance between the pros and cons varies depending on the individual’s stage of change. The Decisional Balance scale is a 20-item self-report measure that assesses an individual’s pros and cons of drinking alcohol.

Target Population:
          Adults
Administrative Issues:
        Number of items:
                        20 items
                        10- item short version available
        Mode of administration:
                        Pencil and paper self-administered
        Time required to administer:
                        5-10 minutes
        Staff expertise required for administration:
                        None
        Training required for administration:
                        No training required for administration
Norms available:

Psychometrics:
          Reliability:

          Validity:
Copyright Information:
          Instrument is not copyrighted and available at no cost

Scoring

Decisional Balance Scale – 20-item version
 
Pros of Drinking Cons of Drinking
2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20  1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 18

To get the average number of Pros endorsed, add up the total number of points from the items and divide by 10.
*Example:  Pros of Using Substance = Sum of items (2+4+7+9+11+14+16+17+19+20)
                                                                                                       10
To get the average number of Cons endorsed, add up the total number of points from  the items and divide by 10.
*Example: Cons of Using Substance  = Sum of items (1+3+5+6+8+10+12+13+15+18)
                                                                                                        10

References

    Fave, J.L., Velicer, W.F., & Prochaska, J.O.  (1995).  Applying the transtheoretical model to a representative sample of smokers.  Addictive Behaviors, 20, 189-203.

    LaForge, R.G., Maddock, J.E., & Rossi, J.S.  (1999).  Replication of the tempations and decisional balance instruments for heavy, episodic drinking on an adult sample.  Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 21, S67 (Abstract).

    Velicer, W.F., DiClemente, C.C., Prochaska, J.O., & Brandenburg, N.  (1985).  Decisional balance measure for assessing and predicting smoking status.  Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 48, 1279-1289.