Reliability, validity, and normative data for a short version of the understanding of alcoholism scale

In this psychometric study, the authors evaluated a scale measuring treatment staff members' (n = 329) beliefs about the nature and treatment of substance abuse problems. This scale, the Short Understanding of Substance Abuse Scale (SUSS), is based on the work of Moyers (1991; T. B. Moyers & W. R. Miller, 1993) and assesses staff members' endorsement of disease, psychosocial learning, and eclectic treatment orientations. Data presented in this article support the reliability of subscales that, for ease of administration, have been shortened from T. B. Moyers and W. R. Miller's original version. Evidence suggests that the SUSS has convergent and discriminant validity and is not affected by a yea-saying response bias. SUSS norms for different types of substance abuse treatment staff are presented, and suggestions for further applications and improvements of the measure are put forward.