Weight Decisional Balance Scale
Weight Decisional Balance Scale used in psychology are essential tools for clinical and research assessments. This post is based on dissertations submitted by students during their academic programs. At ‘Mental Health,’ we arrange and provide these resources to you. Here is the complete list of resources (Click Here). To access these materials, click on the ‘Avail File’ section below.”
Table of Contents
About Weight Decisional Balance Scale
The Weight Decisional Balance Scale is a psychological tool developed to assess the decision-making process related to weight management. Rooted in the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change (TTM), this scale helps individuals and clinicians evaluate the pros and cons of behavior change associated with weight management, including weight loss and healthy eating habits. The scale’s structure reflects the balance individuals consider when making decisions about their weight-related behaviors.
Purpose of the Tool
The primary goal of the Weight Decisional Balance Scale is to assess an individual’s ambivalence or motivation regarding weight-related behaviors. The tool helps to understand what motivates or hinders behavior change and provides a framework for identifying barriers and facilitators in managing weight. By evaluating the pros and cons of current weight behaviors, clinicians can help individuals move through the stages of change from precontemplation to maintenance.
Description of the Tool
The Decisional Balance concept was originally developed by Velicer, DiClemente, and Prochaska (1985) as a way to assess and predict smoking behavior change. It was later expanded for various problem behaviors, including weight management, which is a common issue in public health. The tool is based on the idea that individuals weigh the positive and negative aspects of their behavior when considering change.
In the context of weight management, people weigh the advantages of continuing with their current behaviors (e.g., enjoying certain foods, avoiding the discomfort of dieting) against the disadvantages (e.g., health risks, dissatisfaction with appearance). Similarly, they evaluate the benefits of adopting healthier behaviors (e.g., improved health, weight loss) against the challenges (e.g., giving up favorite foods, lifestyle adjustments).
Psychometric Properties
The Weight Decisional Balance Scale has been shown to have strong reliability and validity, particularly in predicting changes in weight-related behaviors. Studies have demonstrated that the tool can reliably assess an individual’s level of motivation to change and predict long-term behavior change in the context of weight management.
Age Group
The Weight Decisional Balance Scale is appropriate for adults and adolescents who are engaged in weight management or considering making changes to their weight-related behaviors. The tool is commonly used in clinical, research, and weight management program settings, particularly for those struggling with weight loss, obesity, or disordered eating.
References
- Velicer, W.F., DiClemente, C.C., & Prochaska, J.O. (1985). Decisional balance measure for assessing and predicting smoking status. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 48, 1279-1289.
- Prochaska, J.O., Velicer, W.F., Rossi, J.S., Goldstein, M.G., Marcus, B.H., Rakowski, W., Fiore, C., Harlow, L.L., Redding, C.A., Rosenbloom, D., & Rossi, S.R. (1994). Stages of change and decisional balance for 12 problem behaviors. Health Psychology, 13, 39-46.
- Carey, K.B., Maisto, S.A., Carey, M.P., & Purnine, D.M. (2001). Measuring readiness to change substance misuse among psychiatric outpatients: Reliability and validity of self-report measures. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 62, 79-88.
- Ward, R.M., Velicer, W.F., & Rossi, J.S. (2004). Factorial invariance and internal consistency for the decisional balance inventory – short form. Addictive Behaviors, 29, 953-958.
- Collins, S.E., Carey, K.B., & Otto, J.M. (2009). A new decisional balance measure of motivation to change among at-risk college drinkers. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 23(3), 464-471. doi: 10.1037/a0015841.
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