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University of Southern Mississippi

The Development and Exploration of a Twelve-Factor Model of Motivations for Using Substances

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>The existing literature suggests inconsistent and limited application of various salient motives to use substances across substance classes and has been further limited by only measuring substance use motives by the frequency at which one uses for a given reason. The purpose of this study was the development and initial validation of the Motivations for Substance Use Questionnaire (MUSQ). The MUSQ was intended to be a more comprehensive measure identifying motives to use that have been selectively included in some measures and expanding the breadth of substances addressed. We also aimed to index and test cognitive aspects of the motives (i.e., <em>wanting</em>, and <em>liking</em> and <em>satisfaction</em>) for use-related patterns.</p> <p>Factor analysis (<em>n</em> = 367) indicated that the MUSQ was characterized by 12 factors: Reduce Anxiety/Unpleasant Arousal, Conformity, Effects of Other Substances, Relative Low Risk, Positive Social Interactions, Rebellion, Altered Perceptions/Experiential Processes, Performance/Arousal Enhancement, Increase Positive Affect, Manage Negative Social Interactions, Reduce Negative Affect, and Substitution. Regressions supported the predictability of <em>wanting</em>, but not <em>liking</em> and <em>satisfaction</em>, for severity and change variables. Canonical correlations were conducted to assess incremental validity of the MUSQ but were limited due to small effects and sample sizes. ANOVAs suggested salient motives differed by drug of choice. This measure may direct motivational interviewing dialogue by supporting change talk and may expand the current understanding of substance use motivation.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Arts (MA)
Level thesis:degree_level
Masters Thesis
Year dc:date.available
2020

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Altenberger, Taylor
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Randy Arnau
  • Richard Mohn
  • Bradley Green

Subjects

dc:subject × 6

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses/740
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:aquila.usm.edu:masters_theses-1765

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
University of Southern Mississippi
Base URL
aquila.usm.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Altenberger, Taylor. The Development and Exploration of a Twelve-Factor Model of Motivations for Using Substances. Masters Thesis thesis, 2020. https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses/740