Journal article
Reliability and validity of an internalizing symptom scale based on the adolescent and adult Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism (SSAGA)
The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse, Vol.45(2), pp.151-160
03/04/2019
DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2018.1476520
PMCID: PMC6481182
PMID: 29870277
Abstract
Background: The Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism (SSAGA) is an interview that assesses psychiatric symptoms and diagnoses, including substance use disorders and anxiety and mood (i.e., internalizing) disorders. Although the SSAGA is widely used, there exists no overall internalizing characteristics scale based on items drawn from SSAGA's mood and anxiety disorder sections. Objectives: To design and assess a SSAGA-based measurement instrument capturing the overall internalizing dimension that underlies more specific internalizing conditions. Methods: We developed, assessed, and characterized a new scale for measuring internalizing problematic characteristics derived from the SSAGA interview. All samples were drawn from the Collaborative Studies on the Genetics of Alcoholism, a prospective multi-site genetic study of families at high risk for alcohol use disorders. All participants taking part in the study between September 2005 and September 2017 were eligible (n = 904, 52.2% female). Results: The scale had adequate internal consistency (ordinal α = 0.85, 95% CI = [0.81, 0.89]). Construct validity was supported by its association with other measures of internalizing characteristics (Internalizing Scale from Achenbach Self Reports; Neuroticism Scale from the Neuroticism-Extraversion-Openness Five-Factor Personality Inventory). Several indices of alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine misuse were also positively associated with Internalizing Scale scores. Conclusions: The Internalizing Scale has very good psychometric properties and can be used in studies that incorporate the SSAGA interview to study the association between internalizing characteristics and problematic alcohol and other substance use. These associations can potentially be utilized to identify individuals at risk for substance problems and to design treatments targeting such individuals.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Reliability and validity of an internalizing symptom scale based on the adolescent and adult Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism (SSAGA)
- Creators
- Laura Acion - Fundación SadoskyJohn Kramer - Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Carver College of MedicineXiangtao Liu - Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Carver College of MedicineGrace Chan - Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health CenterDouglas Langbehn - Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Carver College of MedicineKathleen Bucholz - Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of MedicineVivia McCutcheon - Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of MedicineVictor Hesselbrock - Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health CenterMarc Schuckit - Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego School of MedicineDanielle Dick - Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityMichie Hesselbrock - Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health CenterSamuel Kuperman - Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse, Vol.45(2), pp.151-160
- DOI
- 10.1080/00952990.2018.1476520
- PMID
- 29870277
- PMCID
- PMC6481182
- NLM abbreviation
- Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse
- ISSN
- 0095-2990
- eISSN
- 1097-9891
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Grant note
- AA05524 / National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) U10AA008401 / NIH
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 03/04/2019
- Academic Unit
- Psychiatry; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
- Record Identifier
- 9984003990302771
Metrics
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