Table of Contents
Description
The Adolescent Relapse Coping Questionnaire (ARCQ) is a psychological tool designed to assess the coping strategies employed by adolescents in situations that may trigger relapse into substance use. The questionnaire presents a relatable scenario, prompting respondents to self-reflect on their previous experiences and coping mechanisms when faced with peer pressure related to drug and alcohol use. This instrument is vital for understanding the psychological processes underlying adolescent substance use behavior and can aid in tailoring interventions to enhance coping strategies.
Authors and Contact Email
Mark Myers
Purpose
The purpose of the ARCQ is to evaluate how adolescents respond cognitively and behaviorally in high-risk situations where substance use is present, which directly relates to their potential for relapse.
Test Year
1990, revised 1994
Administration Method and Scoring
The questionnaire presents a situational context and requires respondents to answer multiple items rated on a Likert scale. Responses range from “1=Never” to “4=More than five times” for frequency questions, and from “1=Not at all Difficult” to “10=Very Difficult” for difficulty and urge scale questions. Specific items also assess the risk of relapse and the importance of abstaining from use in that situation.
Reliability and Validity
The ARCQ has undergone psychometric validation, demonstrating reliability and validity in measuring adolescent coping strategies related to substance abuse scenarios.
Factors and Subscales
The scale includes several subscales that categorize responses into cognitive and behavioral problem-solving, self-critical thinking, and abstinence-focused coping, identifying how each aspect relates to relapse risk.
Keywords
Adolescent, Relapse, Coping strategies, Substance use, Peer pressure
Items of ‘Adolescent Relapse Coping Questionnaire’ (ARCQ)
1. Have you ever been in a situation like this? (1= Never; 2= Once or twice; 3= Three to five times; 4= More than five times)
2. How difficult would this situation be for you? (1= Not at all Difficult; 10= Very Difficult)
3. How much would you want to drink or use in this situation? (1= No urge at all; 10= Very Strong Urge)
4. How much of a risk for relapse is this situation? (1= No risk at all; 10= Very High Risk)
5. How important is it that you don’t drink or use in this situation? (1= Not at all Important; 10= Very Important)
6. How likely do you think it is that you would be able to keep from drinking and/or using in this situation? (1= Definitely Would use; 10= Definitely Wouldn’t use)
Responses related to coping strategies:
1) Use the support of a higher power.
2) Do something instead of using or drinking.
3) Make a promise to yourself that things will be different next time.
4) Just concentrate on what you have to do next.
5) Think of a better time or place than the one you are in.
6) Stand your ground and fight for what you want.
7) Wish you were a stronger person.
8) Change something so things will turn out all right.
9) Think you don’t want to blow your sobriety.
10) Come up with a couple of different ways to handle the situation.
11) Change something about yourself to deal with the situation better.
12) Let your feelings out somehow.
13) Realize you brought the situation on yourself; blame yourself.
14) Leave or avoid the situation.
15) Discover what is important in life.
16) Use self-control or willpower.
17) Try to forget the whole thing.
18) Criticize or lecture yourself.
19) Think you would feel guilty if you use or drink.
20) Keep others from knowing how bad things are.
21) Think drinking or using is bad; you don’t want to be part of it.
22) Talk to someone to find out more about the situation.
23) Contact support for staying clean.
24) Do something that may not work but at least you’re doing something.
25) Make a plan of action and follow it.
26) Try to look on the bright side.
27) Think others who matter to you will be upset.
28) Wish that you could change what had happened.
References
http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/html.cfm/index3554EN.html
Myers, M.G., & Brown, S.A. (1996). The Adolescent Relapse Coping Questionnaire: Psychometric validation. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 57, 40-46.
Myers, M.G. & Brown, S.A. (1990). Coping responses and relapse among adolescent substance abusers. Journal of Substance Abuse, 2, 177-189.
Myers, M.G. & Brown, S. A. (1990). Coping and appraisal in relapse risk situations among substance abusing adolescents following treatment. Journal of Adolescent Chemical Dependency, 1, 95-115.
Myers, M.G., Brown, S.A., & Mott, M.A. (1993). Coping as a predictor of adolescent substance abuse treatment outcome. Journal of Substance Abuse, 5, 15-29.
Myers, M.G., Lennox, G.A., & Brown, S.A. Further psychometric assessment of the Adolescent Relapse Coping Questionnaire. Poster presented at the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy Annual Meeting, New York, NY, November 1996.