Development and validation of the Theoretical Orientation Scale for Clinicians: reflecting solution-focused...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Therapeutic Interventions

Background:

• Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) is a widely used therapeutic approach.
• Assessing clinicians' theoretical orientation is crucial for understanding treatment adherence and effectiveness.
• Existing instruments may not fully capture attitudes toward SFBT principles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate the 40-item Theoretical Orientation Scale for Clinicians (TOSCsF).
• To operationalize and assess clinicians' attitudes and endorsement of solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT).
• To provide a reliable and valid measure for research and clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• Development of the 40-item TOSCsF instrument.
• Administration of the TOSCsF via mail questionnaire to 284 National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) members.
• Reliability analysis (Cronbach's alpha) and principal components analysis for construct validity.

Main Results:

• The TOSCsF demonstrated good reliability (Cronbach's alpha = .82).
• Principal components analysis revealed a three-factor structure, supporting modest construct validity.
• An acquiescent response pattern was detected in 40 respondents, noted for further consideration.

Conclusions:

• The TOSCsF is a reliable instrument for measuring clinicians' orientation toward SFBT.
• The scale provides modest but positive support for construct validity.
• Further refinement of the TOSCsF is recommended for enhanced measurement precision.