New Validity Evidence of the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs-Short Screener for Evaluating Internalizing/Externalizing Behaviors in Spanish Adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

The Global Appraisal of Individual Needs (GAIN-SS) is a screening instrument evaluating internalizing/externalizing behaviors. This study examines the validity evidence of the GAIN-SS in Spanish adolescents and explores sex differences in its performance.

METHOD

Participants were 1,547 Spanish adolescents from the community (females = 48.2%, mean [] age = 15.20 [0.74]). A cross-sectional online assessment was used to evaluate past-month substance use and gambling involvement. Problems associated to these behaviors were assessed using the GAIN-SS, the South Oaks Gambling Screen-Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-RA), and the Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index (RAPI). Factor analyses were conducted to examine the internal structure of the GAIN-SS.

RESULTS

Results revealed four subscales accounting for 47.03% of the variance related to externalizing (EDScr), internalizing (IDScr), substance use disorders (SDScr), and crime/violence problems (CVScr). Concurrent validity was supported through significant correlations between the GAIN-SS subscales, alcohol-related problems, and gambling behavior, with the exception of the IDScr. Past-month gamblers or substance users evidenced higher scores in the CVScr. Females reported more internalizing symptoms, whereas males reported higher scores in CVScr.

CONCLUSIONS

The GAIN-SS is a valid screener for substance use and gambling in Spanish adolescents. Sensitivity of the GAIN-SS to sex differences suggests that it may be useful to design gender-sensitive interventions.