Validating the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory for Identifying Substance Abuse Among Adolescents in a Residential Treatment Center

<p>Purpose. This study examines the construct validity of the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory for Adolescents (SASSI-A) as a substance-abuse screening instrument for dual-diagnosed adolescents in a residential treatment center.</p> <p>Method. Using archival records of 336 subjects from a long-term residential treatment center, this study applied a two-group comparison method to examine the construct validity of the SASSI-A for screening substance abuse among adolescents in a residential treatment center. Residents were initially clinically assessed by a state certified counselor as either substance abuser/chemically dependent or non-substance abuser/chemically dependent. At this residential treatment center, the clinical assessment included a full review of the resident's clinical and medical file, consult with the resident's family if possible, welfare and/or probation staff, the primary therapist and other residential staff, and an assessment interview. Scale scores and decision rules for the SASSI-A were then compared to the classification by clinical assessment. Underlying structure of the SASSI-A was also examined through principal component analysis.</p> <p>Results. Independent t tests for the SASSI-A subscales scores showed significant differences in the mean scores between those clinically assessed as substance abuser/chemically dependent and those who were not. Those who were classified as chemically dependent using SASSI-A Decision Rules #1, #2, #3, and #4 were also likely to be clinically assessed as substance abuser/chemically dependent. For this sample, there was insufficient remaining subjects to test the utility of Decision Rules #5 and #6. Classification by clinical assessment and by SASSI-A was unrelated to demographic variables. In comparing the end results of the SASSI-A Decision Rules classification versus the results of those clinically assessed, there was an overall classification agreement of 78.6%. Principle component analysis with varimax rotation resulted in three meaningful underlying factors.</p> <p>Conclusions. Compared to classification by clinical assessment, the SASSI-A appears to be a valid screening instrument for identifying substance abuse/chemical dependency among adolescents in a residential treatment center.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Counseling Psychology, Ph.D.

Year

2004

Author dc:creator

• Singler, Ann Carol

Contributors dc:contributor

• Jimmy Kijai
• Duane C. McBride
• Dennis Waite

• Mental and Social Health
• Substance Abuse and Addiction

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/700

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.andrews.edu:dissertations-1699