Change Questionnaire

Abstract

The Change Questionnaire (CQ), developed by Amanda Brody in 2008, is a focused psychological instrument designed to assess an individual’s readiness and ambivalence toward making a specific behavioral change. Rooted conceptually in the principles of Motivational Interviewing (MI), the scale divides the assessment into three distinct parts: the perceived benefits (pros) of change, the perceived barriers (cons) of change, and the current emotional state regarding the change process. This instrument is crucial for clinicians and researchers seeking to gauge motivational factors before initiating therapeutic interventions, providing a quantitative measure of decisional balance.

Keywords

Change Readiness, Motivation, Motivational Interviewing, Ambivalence, Behavioral Change, Self-Efficacy, Psychological Assessment, Clinical Psychology.

Authors

Amanda Brody (2008).

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Change Questionnaire is to quantify the internal conflict an individual experiences when contemplating a significant behavioral modification. By segregating the measurement into reasons for and reasons against change, the CQ provides a structured framework for understanding the motivational balance—often referred to as the decisional balance—that precedes action. This information is vital for tailoring interventions, particularly those derived from Motivational Interviewing, which emphasizes addressing ambivalence directly and compassionately.

Furthermore, the third section, which assesses feelings about the change, helps practitioners understand the current affective state of the respondent, providing context for potential emotional barriers or strengths that may influence the change process. It allows the clinician to identify whether the individual approaches change with feelings such as optimism and determination, or with feelings of nervousness and fear.

Construct

The CQ measures the Psychological Construct of Readiness for Change, specifically focusing on the cognitive and affective components of motivation. Part 1 measures the perceived benefits and drives for change, encompassing both intrinsic motivation (e.g., self-improvement, sense of accomplishment) and extrinsic motivation (e.g., social pressure, avoiding negative external consequences). These items are indicative of “Change Talk” strength.

Part 2 measures barriers and perceived costs (reasons against change), covering perceived difficulty, procrastination, fear of failure, and potential negative social or lifestyle consequences. These items represent “Sustain Talk.” The balance between these two forces (Pros vs. Cons) is central to theoretical models of behavioral change, such as the Transtheoretical Model (TTM). The instrument effectively operationalizes the conflict inherent in ambivalence, making it a valuable tool for assessing where an individual falls on the continuum of preparation for action.

Validity

While specific, standalone validity studies for the Change Questionnaire are often embedded within the larger research projects utilizing the tool (such as doctoral dissertations), its structure demonstrates strong face validity. The clear categorization of items into pros, cons, and associated feelings aligns directly with the core components of decisional balance used in clinical practice and Motivational Interviewing literature.

In studies where the CQ has been employed, such as research concerning adolescent depression or foster parent retention, its scores are expected to correlate predictably with measures of commitment to change or therapeutic engagement, suggesting satisfactory criterion validity within those specific contexts. Detailed psychometrics information is typically referenced in the foundational academic works by Brody and subsequent users.

Reliability

Detailed reliability coefficients (e.g., Cronbach’s Alpha for internal consistency) are generally reported in the source documentation where the scale was first validated. Given its successful application in academic research, it is presumed that the major subscales (Reasons For and Reasons Against) exhibit acceptable levels of internal consistency necessary for clinical research. Reliability testing is essential to ensure that the instrument consistently measures the constructs of motivation and ambivalence across different administrations and populations.

Factor Analysis

Although the provided source content does not detail the Factor Analysis procedure, the instrument is inherently structured around three conceptual factors: Reasons For Change (Factor 1), Reasons Against Change (Factor 2), and Affective State Regarding Change (Factor 3). An exploratory or confirmatory factor analysis would typically be performed during the scale development process to confirm the structural integrity and independence of these distinct motivational dimensions, supporting the instrument’s intended use in separating the conflicting forces driving or inhibiting behavioral modification.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-Report Inventory (Psychological Assessment Instrument)

Format: 50 items across three parts, utilizing a modified Likert scale response format for self-assessment.

Language Available: English (Original)

Population Group: Clinical and General Population seeking behavioral change.

Age Group: Adolescents and Adults (used in studies involving adolescents and adults).

Population Details: The CQ has been utilized specifically in research involving depressed adolescents and foster parents, indicating applicability across diverse applied psychology settings where change motivation is key, particularly within a Motivational Interviewing framework.

Test Methodology: The respondent rates how much each statement applies to them using the specified Likert scales. Part 1 (Reasons for Change) has 19 items scored on a 0 to 4 scale (0=Applies little or not at all; 4=Applies very much). Part 2 (Reasons against Change) has 21 items using the same 0 to 4 scale. Part 3 (Feelings about the Change) has 11 items scored on a 0 to 5 scale (0=Not at all; 5=Strongly).

Keywords

Decisional Balance, Change Motivation, Behavioral Health, Counseling, Prochaska, Brody Scale, Likert Scale.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not provided in source.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not provided in source.

Correspondence Address: Not provided in source.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Test Year: 2008.

Permissions and Fee: Information regarding commercial licensing or specific usage fees is not detailed in the source material. However, instruments developed within academic dissertations are often available for non-commercial research use upon request to the author or the associated university library. The original PDF can be downloaded here: http://arizona.openrepository.com/arizona/bitstream/10150/195528/1/azu_etd_11159_sip1_m.pdf

Reference’s

The Change Questionnaire is referenced in the following academic works:

• Brody, Amanda E. (2009). “Motivational interviewing with a depressed adolescent.” Journal of Clinical Psychology 65.11: 1168-1179. Web. 20 Feb. 2011.
• Cohen, Julie L. (2010). “Enhancing Retention of Foster Parents: The Role of Motivational Interviewing.” University of Arizona. Doctoral Dissertation.

Items of the Change Questionnaire

Part 1: REASONS FOR WANTING TO MAKE THE CHANGE

1. I feel that I should make this change.
2. People who are important to me want me to make this change.
3. It will be good for my physical health if I make this change.
4. It will be good for my mental or emotional health if I make this change.
5. I will feel better about myself if I make this change.
6. If I make this change‚ I will be able to do things that I’ve wanted to do but I couldn’t do before.
7. If I succeed in making this change‚ it will give me a real sense of accomplishment.
8. Others will think more highly of me if I succeed in making this change.
9. If I make this change‚ I will be able to function better at work or at home.
10. My relationships with friends or family members will benefit if I make this change.
11. Making this change is challenging‚ and I enjoy a good challenge.
12. I want to prove to myself that I am capable of making this change.
13. I want to prove to others that I am capable of making this change.
14. There are opportunities I might miss if I don’t make this change.
15. I can’t feel that good about myself unless I make this change.
16. Others will be disappointed in me if I don’t make this change.
17. Not changing is causing problems for me at home or at work.
18. It will hurt or harm other people if I don’t make this change.
19. I am afraid that something bad will happen to me if I don’t make this change.

Part 2: REASONS FOR NOT WANTING TO MAKE THE CHANGE

1. I feel like there is nothing I can do that will make me change.
2. I don’t think I’ll be able to do the things I need to do in order to make this change.
3. I keep putting off doing the things I need to do in order to make this change.
4. I keep forgetting to do the things I need to do in order to make this change.
5. I don’t know exactly what I need to do in order to make this change.
6. I am too busy to do the things I need to do in order to make this change.
7. I feel like I just can’t get myself to do the things I need to do to make this change.
8. I don’t like admitting to myself that I need to make this change.
9. I don’t like admitting to others that I need to make this change.
10. I don’t feel like doing what I need to do in order to make this change.
11. Although I know I need to make this change‚ sometimes I just don’t want to.
12. I am afraid that I will get upset with myself if I try to make this change and don’t succeed.
13. I am afraid that others will get upset with me if I try to make this change and don’t succeed.
14. I am afraid that I will demand more of myself if I succeed in making this change.
15. I am afraid that others will demand more of me if I succeed in making this change.
16. I don’t want to do things that remind me that I have something I need to change.
17. I think if I did make this change‚ it might have a bad effect on a relationship that is important to me.
18. I am afraid that if I do make this change‚ it might make my life worse in some ways.
19. If I make this change‚ it might mean that I will have to give up some of the things that I enjoy.
20. I don’t think I’ll be successful in making this change if I try.
21. I am afraid that in some ways I’ll feel worse and not better if I make this change.

Part 3: FEELINGS ABOUT THE CHANGE

1. Optimistic
2. Nervous
3. Ambitious
4. Frustrated
5. Determined
6. Cautious
7. Enthusiastic
8. Confused
9. Hopeful
10. Worried
11. Strong

Scoring Notes:

Part 1 & 2: 0=Applies to me little or not at all‚ 1‚ 2 Applies to me somewhat 3‚ 4‚ Applies to me very much

Part 3: 0=Not at all‚ 1‚ 2 Moderately 3‚ 4‚ Strongly=5