Readiness for Change Among People with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness in a Rehabilitation Program

The Change Assessment Questionnaire for People with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (CAQ-SPMI), based on Prochaska's (1992) Stages of Change model, was field tested in order to establish its utility in psychiatric rehabilitation. The CAQ-SPMI was given to a sample of 223 participants from a multifaceted psychiatric rehabilitation program with branches throughout northeastern Illinois. Results support the CAQ-SPMI as a valid measure of readiness for change among people with severe and persistent mental illness in rehabilitation programs. The CAQ-SPMI's component structure is reviewed, and possible clinical, program, and future research implications are discussed.