Initial Psychometric Testing of the Harm Reduction Self-Efficacy Scale (HRSES)

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Addiction Science
• Behavioral Health

Background:

• Abstinence self-efficacy predicts substance use behavior change, but many individuals aim for harm reduction, not abstinence.
• A broader measure of self-efficacy for diverse substance use goals is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate the Harm Reduction Self-Efficacy Scale (HRSES).
• To assess self-efficacy in limiting substance use according to individual goals.

Main Methods:

• Adapted existing scales (Situational Confidence Questionnaire) to create the HRSES.
• Recruited 226 participants from online support groups with varied substance use goals.
• Utilized exploratory factor analysis to identify underlying factors of the HRSES.

Main Results:

• Identified a 4-factor structure for the HRSES: negative emotions/situations, positive social situations, low self-regulation, and pleasant emotions.
• Found negative correlations between HRSES subscale scores and substance use.
• Observed positive correlations between HRSES subscale scores and quality of life.

Conclusions:

• The HRSES demonstrates promising psychometric properties for assessing self-efficacy in harm reduction.
• The scale shows clinical utility and applicability across a spectrum of substance use goals.
• Further validation in diverse populations is recommended.