Citation

Stein LAR, Lebeau R, Clair M, Rossi JS, Martin RM, Golembeske C. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2010; 109(1-3): 104-113.

Affiliation

Social Sciences Research Center, University of Rhode Island, 2 Chafee Road, Kingston, RI 02881, United States; The Rhode Island Training School, Juvenile Correctional Services, 300 New London Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920, United States; Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02906, United States.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2009.12.015

PMID

20149558

PMCID

PMC2875287

Abstract

Few measures exist to assess risky behaviors and consequences as they relate to substance use in juvenile delinquents. This study sought to validate such a measure on a racially and ethnically diverse sample (N=175). Results indicate that alcohol-related risky behaviors and consequences comprise a single scale as do marijuana-related risky behaviors and consequences. Furthermore, results suggest that the retention of common items for both scales produces reliable and valid scales and maintains parsimony. Internal consistencies were more than adequate (0.72-0.83) and test-retest stabilities, even across several months were acceptable (0.52-0.50). The scales evidenced a high degree of concurrent and predictive incremental validity in predicting conduct disorder, dependence symptoms, and consumption patterns. Researchers can use these scales to measure a generalized construct tapping risks and consequences as related to alcohol and marijuana use. Ease of use may make these scales appealing to clinicians who can provide feedback to clients regarding risky behaviors involving alcohol and marijuana.

Language: en