Table of Contents
Description
Service to Others in Sobriety (SOS) is a validated assessment tool that focuses on the acts of helping, volunteering, and supporting others, particularly within the context of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The scale is based on the principles of altruism and emphasizes the importance of service as a core component of recovery from addiction. Research indicates that engaging in helping behaviors not only aids individuals in their recovery journey but also contributes to improvements in mental health, social functioning, and overall life satisfaction. Studies have shown that those involved in AA-related helping activities demonstrate better drinking outcomes, highlighting the value of service to both the provider and the receiver. This scale specifically measures various helping activities that recovering alcoholics engage in, providing insights into the role of service, altruism, and connection with others in their daily lives.
Authors and Contact Email
Maria E. Pagano, Amy R. Krentzman, Casey C. Onder, Justina L. Baryak, Jennifer L. Murphy, William H. Zywiak, Robert L. Stout
Purpose
The primary purpose of the SOS scale is to provide a valid measure of Alcoholics Anonymous-related helping activities that are pertinent to the daily lives of recovering alcoholics. It aims to gather reliable data on the role of service, altruism, and helping behaviors during recovery.
Test Year
Information not available.
Administration Method and Scoring
The SOS is administered as a 12-item questionnaire where respondents rate their helping behaviors on a 5-point Likert-type scale from 1 (rarely) to 5 (always) based on their experiences in the prior month. Individuals are instructed to provide a score of 1 (never) for any item that does not apply to them. The total score is summed for an overall measure of helping.
Reliability and Validity
The SOS has demonstrated adequate internal consistency with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.92 for the total score, indicating high reliability. Test-retest reliability has shown strong correlations, with Spearman rank-order correlations ranging from 0.60 to 0.96. The scale was validated against other measures of pro-social behavior and empathy.
Factors and Subscales
Information not available.
Keywords
Alcoholics Anonymous, service to others, sobriety, helping behaviors, altruism.
Items of ‘Service to Others in Sobriety (SOS)’
Please rate the following items on a scale from 1 to 5: 1 = never, 2 = rarely, 3 = sometimes, 4 = often, and 5 = always. If the item does not apply to you, please give a response of 1 (never) to the question. How often in the past month…
- Took calls or spent time with a sponsee?__________
- Guided an alcoholic/addict through the 12-Steps? __________
- Held a service position in a 12-Step program? __________
- Say something positive to an alcoholic/addict? __________
- Listened to an alcoholic/addict? __________
- Say hello to a newcomer? __________
- Reached out to an alcoholic/addict having a hard time? __________
- Shared personal story with an alcoholic/addict? __________
- Read program literature to an alcoholic/addict? __________
- Encourage an alcoholic/addict to go to a meeting? __________
- Donated money to AA/NA? __________
- Put away chairs after a meeting? __________
- Overall in the past month, how much did helping other alcoholics help you to not drink or use drugs? __________not at all __________a little __________some __________a lot
References
Pagano, M.E., Krentzman, A.R., Onder, C.C., Baryak, J.L., Murphy, J.L., Zywiak, W.H., & Stout, R.L. (in press). Assessment of service to others in sobriety (SOS). Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly.
Pagano, M. E., Zeltner, B., Post, S., Jaber, J., Zywiak, W. H., & Stout, R. L. (2009). Who should I help to stay sober?: Helping behaviors among alcoholics who maintain long-term sobriety. Alcohol Treatment Quarterly, 27(1), 38-50.
Tonigan, J. S., Connors, G. J., Miller, W.R. (2003). Participation and involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous. In T. F. Babor & F. K. Del Boca (Eds.), Treatment Matching in Alcoholism (pp. 184-204). Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
For more information, visit https://scales.arabpsychology.com/s/service-to-others-in-sobriety-sos/