Citation

Kavanagh DJ, Robinson N, Connolly J, Connor J, Andrade J, May J. Addict. Behav. 2018; 87: 69-73.

Affiliation

School of Psychology, Cognition Institute, University of Plymouth, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.05.026

PMID

29960131

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Elaborated Intrusion (EI) Theory holds that both functional and dysfunctional motivational cognitions are characterized by their intensity, cognitive availability and involvement of imagery, and can be assessed in terms of their frequency and cross-sectional nature. Recently published data on the Motivational Thought Frequency (MTF-A) and State Motivation (SM-A) scales for alcohol control, which were based on EI theory, have shown acceptable fit for a three-subscale structure (Intensity, Imagery, Availability). However, subsequent analyses on the MTF's adaptation to diabetic regimen adherence suggested superior fit from a four-factor model, splitting Imagery into Incentives and Self-Efficacy Imagery. The current paper reanalyzed data on the MTF-A and SM-A, including an additional item on each and using a more robust statistical approach.

METHODS: Participants (n = 504) reporting recent high-risk drinking or were currently trying to control alcohol consumption volunteered to complete an online survey that included the MTF-A, SM-A, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and Readiness to Change Questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analyses employed robust maximum likelihood (MLR) with Yuan-Bentler χ² adjustment, and presented internal consistencies using omega.

RESULTS: After omission of multivariate outliers, SM-A data were available from 399 participants, and MTF-A data from 351. Better fit was found for the four-factor model on both measures, and high internal consistencies were obtained for all subscales. Incentives Imagery and Self-Efficacy Imagery were both associated with greater alcohol problems and readiness to change.

CONCLUSIONS: The four-factor structures are statistically superior and more theoretically coherent, and allow a focused assessment of key targets of motivational interventions.

Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Alcohol; Alcohol abuse; Assessment; Confirmatory factor analysis; Desire; Motivation