Situation Temptation Scales – Drug Version

Abstract

The Situation Temptation Scales- Drug Version is a psychological assessment tool designed to measure the degree of temptation individuals experience across various high-risk situations that could lead to relapse or continued drug use. Developed within the context of the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) of change, this instrument helps clinicians and researchers identify specific contexts—such as those involving negative emotions, social pressure, physical discomfort, or intense cravings—where an individual’s resolve might be weakest. The scale is available in both a 20-item and a concise 12-item version, categorized across four primary factors.

Keywords

Situation Temptation Scale, Drug Version, Relapse Prevention, Transtheoretical Model, Substance Use Disorder, Cravings, Self-efficacy, Negative Affect, Psychological Assessment.

Authors

Wayne F. Velicer, Carlo C. DiClemente, Joseph S. Rossi, James O. Prochaska, M. L. Hiller, K. M. Broome, K. Knight, D. D. Simpson.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Situation Temptation Scales- Drug Version is to quantitatively assess an individual’s perceived temptation to use drugs in specific, common high-risk scenarios. This measurement is crucial for tailoring intervention strategies within addiction treatment, particularly those rooted in motivational interviewing and stage-of-change models like the Transtheoretical Model (TTM).

By identifying situations that pose the greatest threat to abstinence, the scale allows practitioners to focus on enhancing coping mechanisms and strengthening self-efficacy specific to those vulnerable contexts. The scale uses a 5-point Likert response format, ranging from 1 (Not at all tempted) to 5 (Extremely tempted), providing a clear gradient of perceived risk.

Construct

The scale measures the construct of situational temptation, which is defined as the intensity of the urge or desire to engage in drug use when faced with specific internal (emotional, physical) or external (social, environmental) triggers. This construct is often inversely related to self-efficacy, where low self-efficacy in a given situation corresponds to high temptation.

The scenarios presented in the scale are derived from established research on relapse precipitants, which typically fall into categories such as coping with negative mood states, navigating social situations involving substance use, and managing physiological symptoms or cravings associated with withdrawal.

Validity

While specific comprehensive validity studies are not detailed in the source content, the scale’s structure is grounded in the well-researched framework of the Transtheoretical Model (TTM), suggesting strong theoretical validity. The factors identified align closely with common behavioral and cognitive triggers for substance relapse documented in clinical literature. Research utilizing the scale, such as that by Hiller et al. (2000), supports its utility in measuring self-efficacy among drug-involved populations, suggesting concurrent or predictive validity concerning treatment outcomes.

Reliability

The scale demonstrates good to excellent internal consistency across its subscales, as reported by Hiller et al. (2000). These indices, likely measured using Cronbach’s Alpha, indicate that the items within each factor reliably measure the same underlying dimension of temptation. The reported reliability coefficients for the subscales are:

• Negative Affect: 0.90
• Social/Positive: 0.87
• Physical and Other Concerns: 0.72
• Withdrawal/Urges: 0.83

These values suggest the instrument is highly reliable for clinical and research applications, particularly the factors related to Negative Affect and Social/Positive situations. The factor for Physical and Other Concerns maintains an acceptable level of reliability.

Factor Analysis

The Situation Temptation Scales- Drug Version is structured around four distinct, empirically derived factors, confirmed through factor analysis (Hiller et al., 2000). These factors represent the major situational clusters that trigger temptation for drug use. The item loadings for both the 20-item and 12-item versions confirm this four-factor structure:

• Negative Affect: Situations involving emotional distress, worry, anger, frustration, or depression.
• Social/Positive: Situations involving relaxation, celebration, or social pressure where drugs are offered or used by others.
• Physical and Other Concerns: Situations involving physical discomfort, pain, fatigue, or preoccupation with external concerns.
• Cravings and Urges (Withdrawal/Urges): Situations involving physical withdrawal symptoms, intense cravings, or sudden impulses to use drugs.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report Questionnaire

Format: Paper-and-pencil or Digital Administration; 5-point Likert Scale (1=Not at all tempted to 5=Extremely tempted)

Language Available: English (Original)

Population Group: Individuals with Substance Use Disorder, particularly those in treatment or recovery.

Age Group: Adolescents and Adults (Typically 18+ in clinical settings)

Population Details: The scale has been validated in populations including drug-involved probationers (Hiller et al., 2000) and those undergoing various forms of addiction treatment.

Test Methodology: Respondents are asked to rate how tempted they would feel to use drugs in each specified situation. Scores are typically aggregated by subscale to identify specific high-risk domains.

Keywords

Addiction Assessment, Substance Abuse Treatment, Drug Relapse Prevention, Transtheoretical Model, Situational Temptation, Factor Structure, Internal consistency, Psychological Measurement.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not available in source material.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not available in source material.

Correspondence Address: Not available in source material. The instrument is affiliated with the Habits Lab at UMBC.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The scale is often used in research settings and appears to be available for non-commercial use through affiliated academic resources. The foundational research supporting the scale and its application to relapse and self-efficacy dates back to 1990 (Velicer et al.). The specific factor structure and reliability assessment for the drug version were formally published in 2000 (Hiller et al.). The instrument is available online at the Habits Lab website: http://habitslab.umbc.edu/situation-temptation-scales/

The original PDF detailing related research can be downloaded here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2827205/pdf/nihms177208.pdf

Reference’s

The following references are key to the development and validation of the Situation Temptation Scales- Drug Version:

• Hiller‚ M.L.‚ Broome‚ K.M.‚ Knight‚ K.‚ and Simpson‚ D.D. (2000). Measuring self-efficacy among drug-involved probationers. Psychological Reports‚ 86‚ 529-538.
• Velicer‚ W.F.‚ DiClemente‚ C.C.‚ Rossi‚ J. S.‚ Prochaska‚ J. O. (1990). Relapse situations and self-efficacy: An integrative model. Addictive Behaviors‚ 15‚ 271-283.
• Prochaska‚ J. O. & DiClemente‚ C. C. (1983). Stages and processes of self-change of smoking: Toward an integrative model of change. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology‚ 51(3)‚ 390–395.
• Prochaska‚ J. O.‚ DiClemente‚ C. C.‚ & Norcross‚ J. C. (1992). In search of how people change: Applications to addictive behaviors. American Psychologist‚ 47(9)‚ 1102–1114.

Items of the Situation Temptation Scales- Drug Version

20 item version

1. When I am in agony because of stopping or withdrawing from drug 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 use drugs to see what happens.
8. When I am being offered drugs in a social situation.
9. When I dream about using drugs.
10. When I want to test my will power over using drugs.
11. When I am feeling a physical need or craving for drugs.
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 using drugs at a bar or a party.
16. When I sense everything is going wrong for me.
17. When people I used to use drugs with encourage me to use drugs.
18. When I am feeling angry inside.
19. When I experience an urge or impulse to use drugs that catches me unprepared.
20. When I am excited or celebrating with others.

Factor Groupings for 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

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 use drugs to see what happens.
5. When I want to test my will power over using drugs.
6. When I am feeling a physical need or craving for drugs.
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 using drugs at a bar or a party.
11. When people I used to use drugs with encourage me to use drugs.
12. When I am excited or celebrating with others.

Factor Groupings for 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