Fifteen-Minute Comprehensive Alcohol Risk Survey: Reliability and Validity Across American Indian and White Adolescents

Abstract

American Indians (AIs) suffer from signifi cant alcohol-related health disparities, and increased risk begins early. This study examined the reliability and validity of measures to be used in a preventive intervention trial. Reliability and validity across racial/ethnic subgroups are crucial to evaluate intervention effectiveness and promote culturally appropriate evidence-based practice. Method: To assess reliability and validity, we used three baseline surveys of high school students participating in a preventive intervention trial within the jurisdictional service area of the Cherokee Nation in northeastern Oklahoma. The 15-minute alcohol risk survey included 16 multi-item scales and one composite score measuring key proximal, primary, and moderating variables. Forty-four percent of the students indicated that they were AI (of whom 82% were Cherokee), including 23% who reported being AI only (n = 435) and 18% both AI and White (n = 352). Forty-seven percent reported being White only (n = 901). Results: Scales were adequately reliable for the full sample and across race/ethnicity defi ned by AI, AI/ White, and White subgroups. Among the full sample, all scales had acceptable internal consistency, with minor variation across race/ethnicity. All scales had extensive to exemplary test-retest reliability and showed minimal variation across race/ethnicity. The eight proximal and two primary outcome scales were each signifi cantly associated with the frequency of alcohol use during the past month in both the cross-sectional and the longitudinal models, providing support for both criterion validity and predictive validity. For most scales, interpretation of the strength of association and statistical signifi cance did not differ between the racial/ ethnic subgroups. Conclusions: The results support the reliability and validity of scales of a brief questionnaire measuring risk and protective factors for alcohol use among AI adolescents, primarily members of the Cherokee Nation.

Assessment of Risk and Protection in Native American Youth: Steps Toward Conducting Culturally Relevant, Sustainable Prevention in Indian Country

“…The results of this study correspond to the findings from three main studies that have examined the reliability and validity of RPFs for substance use in AI/AN youth (Glaser et al, 2005;Komro et al, 2015;Rosay et al, 2000). This study extends the existing knowledge by testing the hypothesized relationships between a comprehensive range of RPFs in four broad domains in which the lives of youth are embedded and by juxtaposing the nationwide estimates with those from one of the largest samples of AI/AN youth in the nation.…”

Similarities in the Etiology of Alcohol Use Among Native American and Non-Native Young Women

“…We conducted a psychometric study, which supported the reliability and validity of the scales among NA and White adolescents, including internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and criterion and predictive validity (Komro et al, 2015a).…”

“…Brief self-report questionnaires were administered to students by a team of trained staff members (see, e.g., Komro et al, 2015a, for a description of survey administration) in November-December 2011, January-March 2012, and AprilMay 2012. Parents were sent a consent letter and were asked to call a toll-free number or to return a postage-paid postcard if they did not want their child to participate.…”

CONNECT: Implementation of a School‐Based Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention for Youth in the Cherokee Nation

“…Information on data collection and measures has been discussed in previous publications. 26,39 Intermediate outcomes included alcohol expectancies, social support, and parent communication. Table 1 includes baseline values.…”