MEASURING THE STAGES OF CHANGE IN CIGARETTE SMOKERS

This article describes preliminary reliability testing of an instrumen t for measuring a smoker's progress toward abstinence or relapse. We h ave developed a set of visual-analog scales intended to measure subtle changes in the smoking cessation process. These are based on the Stag es of Change described by DiClemente and Prochaska and the presentatio n format suggested by Biener and Abrams. In this study, we presented t he scales in two different formats (projected on a screen using an ove rhead projector or printed on sheets of paper) to 23 subjects, all inp atients in a chemical dependency treatment program. The subjects' resp onse on the two modalities were highly correlated, indicating reliabil ity of the scale between modalities and within the time frame studied. We offer this instrument as an inexpensive and efficient means of eva luating smoking cessation strategies and the progress of individuals i n smoking cessation programs.