Decisional Balance Scales

OVERVIEW

Decision making was conceptualized by Janis and Mann (1977) as a decisional “balance sheet” of comparative potential gains and losses. Two components of decisional balance, the pros and the cons, have become critical constructs in the transtheoretical model. The balance between the pros and cons varies depending on the individual’s stage of change. The Decisional Balance scale is a 20-item self-report measure that assesses an individual’s pros and cons of drinking alcohol and other health behaviors.

• Target Population:
  • Adults
• Administrative Issues:
  • Number of items:
    • 20 items
    • 10- item short version available
  • Mode of administration:
    • Pencil and paper self-administered
  • Time required to administer:
    •  5-10 minutes
  • Staff expertise or training required for administration:
    • None required for administration
• Copyright Information:
  • Instrument is not copyrighted and available at no cost

Alcohol Version

• 20 item version

Drug Version

• 20 item version

Reduced Drinking—DELTA Project

• 10 item version

Smoking

• 20 item version
• 6 item version

Weight

• 20 item version

Scoring Information

Decisional Balance Reliability Information