Development and initial validation of an MDMA/Ecstasy motives assessment.
Addictive behaviors January 1, 2023 James E Sottile, Kathryn S Macia, Robert E Wickham et al.
MDMA/Ecstasy users are motivated by social, expansion, coping, and energy factors, distinct from the motives for alcohol, cannabis, or methamphetamine use. A new four-factor motives scale was developed from an international online sample of 1,754 adults. The scale showed good internal consistency and validity, with social, expansion, coping, and energy motives emerging as significant, while conformity and enhancement did not. The findings highlight the unique stimulating, emotional, and empathic effects sought by recreational MDMA/Ecstasy users, which can inform treatment interventions and harm reduction policies.