Decisional Balance Scale for Exercise – DBS-E
Measures the perceived benefits (pros) and costs (cons) associated with the decision to engage in regular exercise.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Decisional Balance Scale for Exercise – DBS-E was developed by Nigg, C. R., Rossi, J. S., Norman, G. J., & Benisovich, S. V. (1998). It is designed to measure Decisional Balance for Exercise. The scale is intended for use with Adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 10 items organized into 2 factors/subscales: Pros, Cons.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | 1,3,5,7,9 | 5 |
| Cons | 2,4,6,8,10 | 5 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 5 = Not Important, 4 = A little bit important, 3 = Somewhat important, 2 = Quite important, 1 = Extremely Important.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 5 to 25. Interpretation guidelines:
- Subscale Score Range (Pros or Cons): 5 – 25
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Significant predictor of stage of exercise adherence.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 3 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.