University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale

The University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale (URICA) is a foundational psychometric tool designed to evaluate an individual's readiness to alter…

Questions: 32
Duration: 10 min
Original title: URICA — University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale
Adaptation: University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale
Authors: McConnaughy, E. A., Prochaska, J. O., & Velicer, W. F.
Created: 1983

The University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale (URICA) is a foundational psychometric tool designed to evaluate an individual's readiness to alter problematic behaviors. Rooted in the Transtheoretical Model of change, this 32-item measure captures where a person currently stands within the dynamic cycle of behavioral transformation. By moving away from binary notions of resistance versus compliance, it provides clinicians with a nuanced map of the client's motivational landscape.

Integrating the URICA into routine practice allows professionals to tailor their clinical approach to the exact developmental stage of the client's motivation. For instance, matching the intervention to the specific stages of change prevents the common therapeutic rupture that occurs when action-oriented strategies are applied to a precontemplative individual. Furthermore, assessing readiness helps clinicians decide when to focus on decisional balance and when to transition toward tangible behavioral planning. As a reliable, repeatable measure, it serves as an essential compass for guiding both short-term interventions and comprehensive treatment planning.

Example result

Fictitious result, computed from a sample set of answers.

Overall score

6.143/ 14

The URICA is a 32-item self-report questionnaire, derived from Prochaska and DiClemente's transtheoretical model of change, that assesses an individual's motivational stage regarding a problem (psychological, addictive, or behavioral). It measures four subscales — precontemplation, contemplation, action, and maintenance — and yields a composite readiness to change score (Readiness Score = C + A + M − PC). Used in psychotherapy, addiction medicine, and research, it helps guide motivational interviewing, identify ambivalence, tailor interventions, and track patient progress.

-2–7.99

Precontemplation

6.143

8–10.99

Contemplation

11–14

Preparation / Action

Readiness ≤ 8: change is not yet on the agenda. Indicative cut-offs (“essentially arbitrary” according to the DiClemente laboratory) — interpret stages as a less ready / intermediate / more ready continuum.

Scoring

Subscale mean + composite readiness to change score, total score from -2 to 14, each item is rated on a 5-point scale (from 1 to 5).

Readiness score calculation

Contemplation 3+Action 3.714+Maintenance 2−Precontemplation 2.571=6.143→ Precontemplation

Precontemplation

change is not considered

→

Contemplation

ambivalence, thinking about it

→

Preparation

decided, getting organized

→

Action

change is underway

→

Maintenance

consolidating — reflected on the Maintenance subscale

Readiness = Contemplation mean + Action mean + Maintenance mean − Precontemplation mean (range −2 to 14). To be used BEFORE treatment to assess readiness to change; during or at the end of treatment, the DiClemente laboratory recommends monitoring the Action and Maintenance subscales instead, not readiness.

Action

3.714/ 5

Concrete steps already undertaken to modify behavior.

items 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 25, 30

3.714

Contemplation

3/ 5

Problem recognition and consideration of future change.

items 2, 8, 12, 15, 19, 21, 24

Maintenance

2/ 5

Efforts to consolidate achieved change and prevent relapse.

items 6, 16, 18, 22, 27, 28, 32

Precontemplation

2.571/ 5

Lack of problem recognition and intention to change.

items 1, 5, 11, 13, 23, 26, 29

2.571

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What the test measures

The URICA evaluates the client's current motivational state using four core dimensions derived from the Transtheoretical Model.

Precontemplation: Lack of intention to change, often accompanied by denial, minimization, or a belief that the problem lies elsewhere.
Contemplation: Recognition of the problem and emerging intention to address it, typically characterized by significant internal ambivalence.
Action: Active engagement in overt behavioral modifications and explicit clinical efforts to resolve the presenting problem.
Maintenance: Ongoing efforts to consolidate behavioral gains, reinforce protective factors, prevent relapse, and sustain long-term change.

This measure is intended for adult populations entering psychotherapy, addiction treatment, or behavioral change programs.

When and why to use it

Clinicians utilize the URICA to align therapeutic interventions with the client's precise level of readiness.

Intake baseline: Establishes the client's entry point to prevent mismatched, overly action-oriented early interventions.
Monitoring change: Tracks shifts in drive across sessions, particularly when addressing motivation and ambivalence during the initial phases of therapy.
Screening and cut-offs: Identifies clients who require preparatory engagement, such as building discrepancy, before committing to concrete behavioral goals.
Differential support: Distinguishes between clients needing insight-oriented exploration and those fully prepared for active skill acquisition.

A validated readiness score offers a structural framework that prevents clinicians from projecting their own change agenda onto the client, providing a reliable baseline over subjective clinical impression.

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The questions

Each statement describes how a person might feel when starting therapy or approaching problems in their lives. Please indicate the extent to which you tend to agree or disagree with each statement. In each case, make your choice in terms of how you feel right now, not what you have felt in the past or would like to feel. The term "here" refers to the treatment setting or the problem.
1. As far as I'm concerned, I don't have any problems that need changing.
Assesses the absolute denial or lack of recognition of any problematic behavior.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
2. I think I'm ready to work on myself.
Probes the initial emergence of an intention to engage in personal growth.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
3. I am doing something about the problems that were bothering me.
Evaluates current, active steps being taken to resolve psychological distress.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
4. It would be worthwhile to work on my problem.
Explores the tentative valuation of therapeutic work and problem resolution.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
5. I'm not the one with a problem; it doesn't make sense for me to be here.
Measures externalization of the issue and resistance to the clinical environment.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
6. I'm worried that the problem I had resolved could come back, so I'm here to seek help.
Assesses the presence of proactive help-seeking driven by the fear of regression.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
7. I'm finally working on my problem.
Captures the transition into active behavioral modification.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
8. I have thought about changing something about myself.
Probes the cognitive consideration of potential self-directed change.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
9. I've succeeded in working on my problem, but I'm not sure I can make the effort on my own.
Evaluates the recognition of limits in self-efficacy regarding sustained progress.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
10. Sometimes my problem is difficult, but I'm working on it.
Measures perseverance and commitment despite the inherent difficulties of the process.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
11. It's pretty much a waste of time for me to be here because the problem has nothing to do with me.
Assesses the degree of perceived irrelevance regarding the treatment setting.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
12. I hope they will help me understand myself better here.
Explores the expectation of gaining insight and self-understanding through clinical help.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
13. I guess I have faults, but there's nothing I really need to change.
Probes the minimization of personal flaws and the dismissal of the need for adaptation.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
14. I'm working really hard to change.
Evaluates the intensity of the effort currently invested in the transformation process.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
15. I have a problem and I really think I need to change.
Assesses the clear acknowledgment of the issue and the internalized imperative to address it.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
16. I haven't stuck with the changes I made as well as I had hoped, so I'm here to prevent my problem from coming back.
Measures the awareness of partial relapse and the active engagement in stabilization.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
17. Even if I'm not always successful in changing, at least I'm working on my problem.
Captures the commitment to the therapeutic process independent of immediate success.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
18. I thought that once I had solved my problem I would be done with it, but sometimes I still find myself stuck with the same issue.
Probes the realization of the enduring nature of the issue and the ongoing struggle involved.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
19. I would like to have more ideas on how to solve my problem.
Evaluates the desire for external input and novel strategies for problem resolution.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
20. I've started working on my problems, but I would like some help.
Assesses the combination of initial autonomous effort with a recognized need for professional support.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
21. Maybe they can help me here.
Explores the tentative hope placed in the clinical setting as a catalyst for improvement.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
22. I could use a helping hand right now to help me maintain the changes I've already made.
Measures the request for reinforcement to consolidate previously achieved behavioral gains.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
23. I might play a part in the problem, but I don't really think so.
Probes residual defensiveness and the reluctance to accept personal responsibility.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
24. I hope someone here can give me some good advice.
Evaluates the openness to external guidance and the expectation of receiving actionable counsel.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
25. Anyone can talk about changing; I'm actually doing something about it.
Assesses the distinction the client makes between superficial intention and concrete behavioral action.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
26. All this talk about psychology is boring. Why can't people just forget their problems?
Measures the active devaluation of psychological discourse and introspection.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
27. I'm here to prevent my problem from coming back.
Captures the explicit focus on relapse prevention as the primary clinical goal.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
28. It's frustrating; I feel like my problem might come back even though I thought I had solved it.
Probes the emotional frustration associated with the unexpected recurrence of an issue.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
29. I have worries like everyone else. Why waste time thinking about them?
Evaluates the normalization of distress as a rationale for avoiding active engagement.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
30. I am actively working on my problem.
Assesses the declarative confirmation of ongoing, goal-directed therapeutic work.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
31. I would rather put up with my flaws than try to change them.
Measures the preference for passive acceptance of flaws over the effort required to change them.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree
32. After all I've done to try and change my problem, it still comes back to haunt me.
Probes the persistent nature of the difficulty and the recurring challenges despite past efforts.
- Strongly disagree
- Moderately disagree
- Neutral or undecided
- Moderately agree
- Strongly agree