Adolescent Relapse Coping Questionnaire (ARCQ)

Abstract

The Adolescent Relapse Coping Questionnaire (ARCQ) is a specialized psychometric validation instrument designed to assess how adolescents cope with high-risk situations that could lead to a relapse back into substance use. Developed by Mark Myers and colleagues in 1990 and revised in 1994, the ARCQ utilizes a hypothetical scenario approach to gauge both the adolescent’s cognitive appraisal of a high-risk situation and the specific behavioral and cognitive coping mechanisms they would employ or consider. The scale is particularly valuable for researchers and clinicians working in the field of substance use disorder treatment, as it helps predict future substance use behaviors based on the coping strategies reported.

Keywords

Adolescent Relapse Coping Questionnaire, ARCQ, substance abuse, relapse prevention, coping strategies, cognitive appraisal, addiction, adolescent treatment outcome, psychometrics, addiction research

Authors

Mark Myers, S.A. Brown, G.A. Lennox, M.A. Mott

Purpose

The primary purpose of the ARCQ is to measure the cognitive and behavioral strategies utilized by adolescents who have previously undergone treatment for substance abuse when confronted with situations that pose a high risk for relapse. By presenting a standardized, high-risk scenario, the instrument aims to elicit authentic coping responses, allowing clinicians and researchers to analyze the efficacy and maladaptiveness of these strategies.

Furthermore, the ARCQ serves as a prognostic tool. Research indicates that specific subscales, particularly the one focusing on abstinence-focused coping, are strong predictors of concurrent and future substance use following treatment. This allows for targeted intervention planning and the assessment of treatment process effectiveness.

Construct

The ARCQ measures two distinct but related psychological constructs related to relapse prevention in adolescents: Situational Appraisal and Coping Responses. Situational Appraisal refers to the initial cognitive evaluation of the high-risk scenario, including perceived difficulty, urge strength, risk level, and commitment to sobriety. Coping Responses relate to the specific thoughts and actions the individual would employ to manage the situation and prevent substance use.

The scale is grounded in models of addiction and relapse prevention that emphasize the role of cognitive restructuring and behavioral skills in maintaining sobriety. Effective coping strategies are viewed as protective factors, while self-critical thinking or avoidance mechanisms may indicate vulnerability to relapse.

Validity

The validity of the ARCQ has been examined through various studies, most notably the psychometric validation published by Myers and Brown (1996). This research established the instrument’s factorial validity, confirming that the items load onto the hypothesized factors representing distinct coping styles.

The scale also demonstrates strong predictive validity. Specifically, the Abstinence Focused Coping subscale (Scale 3) has been reliably identified as the most robust predictor of future substance use outcomes among treated adolescents, confirming the instrument’s utility in forecasting treatment success or failure.

Reliability

Reliability estimates for the ARCQ are supported by the psychometric validation studies conducted by the primary authors. These studies typically utilize measures such as internal consistency (e.g., Cronbach’s alpha) to ensure that items within each factor reliably measure the same underlying construct. The revision in 1994 likely incorporated refinements to improve the overall consistency and stability of the scale scores.

Factor Analysis

Factor analysis of the ARCQ reveals a clear three-factor structure of coping responses, which are distinct from the initial appraisal items. These three factors categorize the strategies used by adolescents facing high-risk situations:

• Cognitive and Behavioral Problem Solving: This factor includes strategies focused on active attempts to change the situation or one’s internal state through reasoned action, planning, self-control, and seeking positive outcomes.
• Self-Critical Thinking: This factor encompasses maladaptive or negative internal responses, such as self-blame, wishing for change, criticizing oneself, or attempting to suppress the situation entirely (e.g., trying to forget the whole thing).
• Abstinence Focused Coping: This factor represents strategies directly aimed at maintaining sobriety and seeking support, including appealing to a higher power, thinking about the negative consequences of using, contacting support networks (like a sponsor or NA/AA), and actively avoiding the situation. This factor is crucial as it is the best predictor of concurrent and future substance use disorder status.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report questionnaire

Format: The instrument first presents a standardized, high-risk scenario followed by six initial appraisal questions (ranging from 4-point to 10-point Likert scales). This is followed by 28 items assessing specific coping strategies, rated on a 7-point Likert scale.

Language Available: English (Original)

Population Group: Adolescents recovering from substance use disorder

Age Group: Adolescent (Typically 13-18 years old)

Population Details: Individuals who have recently completed or are currently undergoing treatment for alcohol and/or drug abuse.

Test Methodology: Respondents are asked to imagine themselves in a specific, high-risk social situation (being offered drugs and alcohol at a friend’s house). They first rate their emotional and cognitive appraisal of the situation (difficulty, urge, risk). They then rate the likelihood (using a 7-point scale) that they would employ 28 specific coping thoughts or behaviors in that scenario.

Keywords

Relapse prediction, coping assessment, adolescent psychology, addiction scales, substance dependence, treatment outcome, Mark Myers, self-efficacy, risk appraisal

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not specified in source material.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not specified in source material.

Correspondence Address: Not specified in source material.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The initial version of the ARCQ was developed in 1990, with a major revision published in 1994. Information regarding current usage fees or specific institutional permissions is not provided in the source material, though the instrument has been widely used in academic and clinical research. The instrument was made available online via the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) archives for research purposes. The instrument can be found online at: http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/html.cfm/index3554EN.html

Reference’s

• 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.

Items of the Adolescent Relapse Coping Questionnaire (ARCQ)

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

IMAGINE IF YOU FOUND YOURSELF IN THIS SITUATION:

You arrive at a friend’s house in the evening. There are a few other people‚ everyone is sitting around talking‚ drinking‚ and using drugs. When you sit down‚ you are offered drugs and something to drink.

1. Have you ever been in a situation like this? (circle your answer)

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? how hard to cope with?

1=Not at all Difficult‚ 2‚ 3‚ 4‚ 5= Somewhat Difficult=6‚ 7‚ 8‚ 9‚ 10= Very Difficult

3. How much would you want to drink or use in this situationHow much of an urge would you have?

1= No urge at all‚ 2‚ 3‚ 4‚ 5= Moderate Urge =6‚ 7‚ 8‚ 9‚ 10= Very Strong Urge

4. How much of a risk for relapse (i.e.‚ drinking and/or using) is this situation?

1= No risk at all‚ 2‚ 3‚ 4‚ 5= Moderate Risk =6‚ 7‚ 8‚ 9‚ 10= Very High Risk

5. How important is it that you don’t drink or use in this situation?

1= Not at all Important‚ 2‚ 3‚ 4‚ 5= Somewhat Important =6‚ 7‚ 8‚ 9‚ 10= Very Important

6. How likely do you think it is that you would be able to keep from drinking and/or using (i.e.‚ not drink or use) in this situation?

1= Definitely Would use‚ 2‚ 3‚ 4‚ 5= Might Use=6‚ 7‚ 8‚ 9‚ 10= Definitely Wouldn’t use

Remember this situation:

You arrive at a friend’s house in the evening. There are a few other people‚ everyone is sitting around talking‚ drinking‚ and using drugs. When you sit down‚ you are offered drugs and something to drink.

1. Use the support of a higher power (for example‚ pray‚ meditate).
2. Do something instead of using or drinking (watch TV‚ socialize).
3. Make a promise to yourself that things will be different next time.
4. Just concentrate on what you have to do next the next step (in the situation or afterwards).
5. Think of a better time or place than the one you are in – imagine things that make you feel better.
6. Stand your ground and fight for what you want (for example‚ do what you think is right regardless of other’s opinions).
7. Wish you were a stronger person.
8. Change something so things will turn out all right (for example‚ get out of the situation).
9. Think to yourself you don’t want to blow your sobriety‚ or go back to drinking and/or using drugs.
10. Come up with a couple of different ways to handle the situation (for example‚ think about ways to avoid negative consequences).
11. Change something about yourself so you can deal with the situation better (for example‚ decide to be more patient‚ to have more willpower‚ etc.).
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 (think that you’ll learn something important about yourself‚ change your priorities‚ etc. as a result of your experience).
16. Use self-control or will power.
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 that 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 (for example‚ to find out how you could avoid the situation and its consequences if it comes up again).
23. Contact a support for staying clean (for example‚ call a sponsor or sober friend‚ go to NA/AA meeting).
24. Do something which you think won’t work but at least you’re doing something (for example‚ try to refuse alcohol or drugs even if you think you’ll give in eventually)
25. Make a plan of action and follow it (for example‚ plan in advance how you would act in this type of situation).
26. Try to look on the bright side of things‚ look for something good that could come out of the situation.
27. Think others who matter to you (family‚ friends) will be upset.
28. Wish that you could change what had happened (for example‚ feel bad that you couldn’t avoid the situation).

1=Definitely would not do or think‚2 ‚3=Might do or think =4‚ 5‚6‚7= Definitely would do or think

Cognitive and behavioral problem solving; items: 2‚ 4‚ 5‚ 6‚ 10‚ 11‚ 12‚ 15‚ 16‚ 24‚ 25 and 26

Self-critical thinking; items: 3‚ 7‚ 13‚ 17‚ 18‚ 20and 28

Abstinence focused coping; items: 1‚ 8‚ 9‚ 14‚ 19‚ 21‚ 22‚ 23and 27