Situation Temptation Scales: Alcohol Version (STSA)

Description

The Situation Temptation Scales – Alcohol Version is a psychological assessment tool designed to evaluate an individual’s temptation to drink alcohol in various situations. This scale comprises two different versions: a 20-item version that captures a wide range of situations and a shorter 12-item version that focuses on more specific contexts. Both versions assess the triggers that may lead to alcohol use, allowing researchers and practitioners to understand better the factors influencing an individual’s drinking behavior. The scale is underpinned by the Transtheoretical Model of Change, which emphasizes the process individuals go through when altering their behaviors, specifically in relation to alcohol consumption.

Authors and Contact Email

Information not available.

Purpose

The purpose of the Situation Temptation Scales – Alcohol Version is to assess the different situational triggers that lead to the temptation of alcohol consumption, thereby aiding in the understanding of the psychological and emotional factors that contribute to drinking behaviors.

Test Year

Information not available.

Administration Method and Scoring

Participants respond to a series of statements on a five-point Likert scale, measuring their level of temptation: 1 (Not at all tempted) to 5 (Extremely tempted). The scores are then analyzed to yield insights into the individual’s susceptibility to alcohol use in various situations.

Reliability and Validity

The scale has demonstrated high reliability and validity across different studies, with significant coefficients reported for various dimensions. For example, negative affect has a reliability of .99, social/positive factors at .86, physical and other concerns at .60, and withdrawal/urges at .70 based on DiClemente et al. (1994) and Project DELTA.

Factors and Subscales

For the 20 Item Version:
– Negative Affect: Items 3, 6, 14, 16, 18
– Social/Positive: Items 4, 8, 15, 17, 20
– Physical and Other Concerns: Items 2, 5, 9, 12, 13
– Cravings and Urges: Items 1, 7, 10, 11, 19

For the 12 Item Version:
– Negative Affect: Items 1, 3, 9
– Social/Positive: Items 10, 11, 12
– Physical and Other Concerns: Items 2, 7, 8
– Cravings and Urges: Items 4, 5, 6

For the 12 Item Version DELTA Project:
– Negative Affect: Items 1, 3, 10
– Social/Positive: Items 2, 5, 12
– Physical and Fatigue: Items 7, 8, 9
– Cravings and Urges: Items 4, 6, 11

Keywords

Temptation, Alcohol, Scales, Assessment, Psychological Study.

Items of Situation Temptation Scales – Alcohol Version

**20 Item Version**
1. When I am in agony because of stopping or withdrawing from alcohol use.
2. When I have a headache.
3. When I am feeling depressed.
4. When I am on vacation and want to relax.
5. When I am concerned about someone.
6. When I am worried.
7. When I have the urge to try just one drink to see what happens.
8. When I am being offered a drink in a social situation.
9. When I dream about taking a drink.
10. When I want to test my will power over drinking.
11. When I am feeling a physical need or craving for alcohol.
12. When I am physically tired.
13. When I am experiencing some physical pain or injury.
14. When I feel like blowing up because of frustration.
15. When I see others drinking at a bar or a party.
16. When I sense everything is going wrong for me.
17. When people I used to drink with encourage me to drink.
18. When I am feeling angry inside.
19. When I experience an urge or impulse to take a drink that catches me unprepared.
20. When I am excited or celebrating with others.

**12 Item Version**
1. When I am feeling depressed.
2. When I am concerned about someone.
3. When I am worried.
4. When I have the urge to try just one drink to see what happens.
5. When I want to test my will power over drinking.
6. When I am feeling a physical need or craving for alcohol.
7. When I am physically tired.
8. When I am experiencing some physical pain or injury.
9. When I feel like blowing up because of frustration.
10. When I see others drinking at a bar or a party.
11. When people I used to drink with encourage me to drink.
12. When I am excited or celebrating with others.

References

DiClemente, C.C., Carbonari, J.P., and Montgomery, R.P.G. (1994). The alcohol abstinence self-efficacy scale. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 55, 141-148.
DiClemente, C.C., Carbonari, J.P., & Velasquez, M.M. (1992). Alcoholism treatment mismatching from a process of change perspective. Drug and Alcohol Abuse Reviews: Vol 3, Alcohol Abuse Treatment. Watson, R.R., ed. Totowa, NJ: The Humana Press, pp. 115-142.
DiClemente, C.C., and Hughes, S.O. (1990). Stages of Change Profiles in Outpatient Alcoholism Treatment. Journal of Substance Abuse, 2, 217-235.
DiClemente, C.C. (2007). Mechanisms, Determinants and Process of Change in the Modification of Drinking Behavior. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 31(S3), 13S-20S.
This instrument can be found at: http://habitslab.umbc.edu/situation-temptation-scales/
Additional information can be found here: https://scales.arabpsychology.com/s/situation-temptation-scales-alcohol-version/