Psychometric Properties of a Revised Form of the Drug-Taking Confidence Questionnaire for Use with Adolescents.

Self-efficacy is an important cognitive predictor of substance abuse treatment outcome. While measures of coping self-efficacy are related to substance use relapse in adults, their properties are not well known in adolescent populations. The present study examined 223 adolescents while in treatment for substance abuse and comorbid psychiatric disorders. Responses on the Drug-Taking Confidence Questionnaire (DTCQ; Sklar et al., 1997) were used to construct a 37-item, 5-factor version for use with adolescents. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis identified the following factors: 1) Negative Situations, 2) Social/Drugs, 3) Pleasant Emotions, 4) Testing Personal Control, and 5) Physical/Intimate. Data preliminarily support the construct, concurrent, and predictive validity of the revised instrument.