University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale – URICA
Measures an individual's readiness to change and stage of change within a therapeutic context.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale – URICA was developed by Elizabeth A. McConnaughy, James O. Prochaska, Wayne F. Velicer (1983). It is designed to measure Stages of Change (Transtheoretical Model). The scale is intended for use with Adults in clinical or psychotherapy settings.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 32 items organized into 4 factors/subscales: Precontemplation, Contemplation, Action, Maintenance.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Precontemplation | 1,5,11,13,23,26,29,31 | 8 |
| Contemplation | 2,4,8,12,15,19,21,24 | 8 |
| Action | 3,7,10,14,17,20,25,30 | 8 |
| Maintenance | 6,9,16,18,22,27,28,32 | 8 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree).
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from -2 to 14. Interpretation guidelines:
- Precontemplation (Low Readiness to Change): -2 – 8
- Contemplation (Ambivalent/Considering Change): 8 – 11
- Action/Maintenance (High Readiness to Change): 11 – 14
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Precontemplation: .75-.80, Contemplation: .67-.79, Action: .83, Maintenance: .78-.86.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.