The illustration-based Assessment of Liability and EXposure to Substance use and Antisocial behavior for children.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Ontogenetic prevention of substance abuse requires that an individual's "profile" of substance abuse predictors is assessed to guide intervention decision-making ( [1] ). For child intervention, self-report data provide information that cannot be obtained from other sources such as parents or teachers. However, efficient child report instruments of substance abuse risk factors are lacking. The Assessment of Liability and EXposure to Substance use and Antisocial behavior((c)) (ALEXSA((c))) is an illustration-based, computerized child report assessment for early manifestations and predictors of substance abuse and antisocial behavior.

METHODS

Construct validity and test-retest reliabilities of ALEXSA subscales were estimated in 272 nine to twelve-year old students from regular and remedial education classrooms.

RESULTS

Anecdotal and quantitative data demonstrated that children enjoy the ALEXSA format. All factors and 34 of 39 subscales had good or better reliabilities. Nine factors were extracted: Disinhibition (example subscales are Irritability, Impulsivity), Sensation Seeking (e.g., Gambling, Social Disinhibition), Self Management (e.g., Planning and Concentration, Problem Solving), Family Discord (e.g., Family Behavior Problems, Family Conflict), Parent Fortification (e.g., Parental Monitoring, Parent Attachment), Social Contagion (e.g., Friends' Conduct Disorder Criteria, Peer Pressure Susceptibility), Social Support (e.g., Social Support: Adults, Number of Friends), Neighborhood Risks (e.g., Gang Exposure, Neighborhood Atmosphere), and School Protection (e.g., Academic Competency, School Commitment).

SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE

The ALEXSA could provide efficient child reports for research, needs assessment, and outcomes to support etiology and prevention of substance abuse and antisocial behavior.