Development of the Motivational Thought Frequency Scale for alcohol abstinence (MTF-A)

Brandon Cheng; Jason M Coates; Matthew J Gullo; Gary C K Chan; David J Kavanagh; Gerald F X Feeney; Ross Mc D Young; Paul J Clark; Jason P Connor

doi:10.1111/acer.14938

Back

Development of the Motivational Thought Frequency Scale for alcohol abstinence (MTF-A)

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Development of the Motivational Thought Frequency Scale for alcohol abstinence (MTF-A)

Brandon Cheng, Jason M Coates, Matthew J Gullo, Gary C K Chan, David J Kavanagh, Gerald F X Feeney, Ross Mc D Young, Paul J Clark and Jason P Connor

Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, Vol.46(11), pp.2077-2088

2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.14938

PMID: 36098356

Appears in UniSC Diversity and Inclusion Research Collection

Files and links (2)

pdf

Development of the Motivational Thought Frequency Scale for alcohol abstinence (MTF-A)600.64 kBDownload View

Accepted Version Open Access

url

https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.14938View

Published Version

Abstract

alcohol use disorder

treatment motivation

alcohol

UniSC Diversity Area - Disability and Inclusion

Background and aims: For most treatment-seeking patients with severe Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), abstinence is the clinically indicated goal. Existing AUD motivation scales are non-specific about treatment consumption goals, which limit effectiveness. Desires and mental imagery are relevant in motivation for AUD treatment engagement. The Motivational Thought Frequency Scale modified for an abstinence goal (MTF-A) was adapted from MTF for controlled drinking (MTF-CD). This study psychometrically evaluated the MTF-A in an alcohol dependent sample engaged in treatment with an abstinence goal. To enhance clinical use of the scale, a secondary aim was to consider application of a psychometrically equivalent short version of the MTF-A. Method: A sample (N = 329) of treatment-seeking AUD patients (mean age of 44.44 years, SD = 11.89 years, 72% male) undertaking a Cognitive Behavioural Treatment (CBT) program for abstinence completed the Motivational Thought Frequency Scale for Abstinence (MTF-A) and the Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ). The MTF-A measured motivation for abstinence through four factors: intensity, self-efficacy imagery, incentives imagery, and availability. Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFAs) were conducted to examine factor structure and model fit. Cronbach’s alpha assessed internal consistency. Predictive validity was determined by logistic regression predicting first-session treatment non-attendance and alcohol consumption between baseline assessment and treatment, controlling for potential confounds. Results: A four-factor structure provided best fit for the MTF-A, compared with one- and three-factor models. A shortened 9-item MTF-A scale (S-MTF-A) provided better fit than the 13-item MTF-A scale. Both MTF-A and S-MTF-A displayed good internal consistency. Both MTF-A and S-MTF-A successfully predicted first-session treatment non-attendance, but neither predicted alcohol consumption between baseline assessment and treatment. Conclusions: The four-factor S-MTF-A displayed superior model fit compared to the original 13-item MTF-A. Both scales were predictive of participation of AUD treatment. Desires and mental imagery play an important role in AUD treatment motivation.

Details

Title: Development of the Motivational Thought Frequency Scale for alcohol abstinence (MTF-A)
Authors: Brandon Cheng (Author) - The University of Queensland
Jason M Coates (Author) - The University of Queensland
Matthew J Gullo (Author) - The University of Queensland
Gary C K Chan (Author) - The University of Queensland
David J Kavanagh (Author) - The University of Queensland
Gerald F X Feeney (Author) - The University of Queensland
Ross Mc D Young (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)
Paul J Clark (Author) - Princess Alexandra Hospital
Jason P Connor (Corresponding Author) - The University of Queensland
Publication details: Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, Vol.46(11), pp.2077-2088
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc.
Date published: 2022
DOI: 10.1111/acer.14938
ISSN: 1530-0277
PMID: 36098356
Copyright note: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Cheng, B., Coates, J.M., Gullo, M.J., Chan, G., Kavanagh, D.J., Feeney, G.F.X., Young, R.M.D., Clark, P.J. and Connor, J.P. (2022), Development of the Motivational Thought Frequency Scale for alcohol abstinence (MTF-A). Alcohol Clin Exp Res. Accepted Author Manuscript. https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.14938, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.14938. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99676397202621
Output Type: Journal article

Metrics

74 File views/ downloads

75 Record Views

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Substance Abuse

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

Source: SDGs from InCites