Characteristics associated with intention to change drinking were examined in 254 adolescents treated in an emergency department for alcohol. Younger age, living at home, lower baseline level of drinking and drinking problems, greater depression, having penalties for breaking family drinking rules, higher injury severity, being frightened, and being admitted to the hospital predicted greater intention to change drinking at the time of the event. Baseline characteristics related to being in the action stage of change 3 months later were younger age; lower drinking; having penalties for breaking family drinking rules; injury severity; and number of anticipated consequences, including being in trouble with parents. This study has implications for brief interventions that capitalize on potential teachable moments with problem-drinking adolescents.

A wide range of data are obtained with self-report. Information obtained from persons using substances is generally reliable and valid, however, many studies show that some proportion of self-reports regarding substance use are inaccurate. This study examines self-reported response distortion in adolescents who received a brief intervention to reduce their smoking. Findings indicate that age and ethnicity of respondent may influence reported response distortion. Factors that appear to influence under- and over-reporting include social desirability and fear of repercussion. Response distortion does not appear to affect rated usefulness of the intervention, nor does intervention type appear to influence whether respondents thought the researcher wanted them to report less use. Results point to the need for further research regarding adolescents and response distortion.

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