Development and Psychometric Validation of the Motivation for Recovery from Addiction Scale: A Psychometric Study in Light of Self-Determination Theory

This research aims to develop and validate a scale for measuring motivation for recovery from drug addiction, grounded in Self-Determination Theory (SDT). A 36-item scale was developed, distributed across six dimensions reflecting the basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness), types of motivation (intrinsic and extrinsic), and psychological well-being. The study sample comprised 92 participants from Al-Waseet addiction treatment centers in western Algeria. The psychometric properties of the scale were assessed through reliability analysis (Cronbach's alpha coefficient and split-half reliability) and validity analysis (content validity, discriminant validity, and internal consistency). The results indicated acceptable reliability, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of (α = 0.864) and a Guttman split-half coefficient of (0.874). Furthermore, the discriminant validity of the scale was verified using an independent samples t-test, with results indicating statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) between groups of individuals with high and low motivation. Additionally, correlation coefficients between the scale items and dimensional scores supported its internal consistency. These findings suggest that the Motivation for Recovery Scale possesses good psychometric properties in terms of reliability and validity, making it a promising tool for assessing motivation for recovery in the field of addiction. Practitioners can utilize this scale to gain a deeper understanding of individuals' motivations for recovery, thereby contributing to the development of effective individualized treatment plans and enhancing the therapeutic alliance by designing strategies tailored to their motivations.