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Convergent and Predictive Validity of Scales Measuring Adolescent Substance Abuse

NCJ Number
165112
Journal
Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 5 Issue: 3 Dated: (1996) Pages: 37-55
Author(s)
K C Winters; R Stinchfield; G A Henly
Date Published
1996
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study assessed a relatively new adolescent drug abuse instrument, the Personal Experience Inventory (PEI), for convergent and predictive validity in a clinical sample of 140 youths being evaluated for drug treatment referral.
Abstract
The tool's problem severity scales were compared to concurrent client (n=140) and parent (n=102) measures of drug abuse and related psychosocial functioning at intake and 1 year later, to counselor intake ratings of problems and treatment need, to client treatment tenure, and to outcome functioning. PEI convergent validity coefficients based on client concurrent measures at both data points and based on counselor ratings of drug abuse problem severity generally exceeded .50; whereas, coefficients typically fell below .50 when the PEI was compared to the less direct client measures of psychosocial functioning and the parent measures. The predictive validity results show a moderately positive association between PEI scores and treatment and aftercare attendance and client functioning 1 year later, particularly for the no-treatment subjects. The data are discussed within the context of growing evidence that documents psychometric adequacy for the PEI and the validity of self-report by adolescents in clinical settings. 5 tables and 29 references