The Psychosocial Treatment Expectations Questionnaire (PTEQ) for Alcohol Problems: Development and Early Validation

High dropout rates from treatment for alcohol-related problems are a problem for treatment delivery. Outcome expectations of treatment attendance are motivational aspects of treatment adherence. Since no method to put such expectations into operation has been found, we developed the Psychosocial Treatment Expectations Questionnaire (PTEQ) to assess the expectations of people receiving such psychosocial treatments. PTEQ development and early validation relied on data from 151 clients. A two-dimensional questionnaire assessing treatment purpose and atmosphere, and impact on daily life was developed, showing acceptable levels of reliability (α = 0.85 for the overall score, and 0.80 and 0.77 for the two scales, respectively). The PTEQ overall score significantly detected differences in expectations between those who remained in, and those who dropped out of treatment. On average, the dropouts had lower treatment expectations than those who remained in treatment. Validity for populations other than alcohol misusers and for treatments delivered exclusively through individual sessions, needs to be further examined.