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Drug and Alcohol Use – Teen Conflict Survey
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About Drug and Alcohol Use – Teen Conflict Survey
Scale Name
Drug and Alcohol Use – Teen Conflict Survey
Author Details
Kris Bosworth and Dorothy Espelage (1995)
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Drug and Alcohol Use—Teen Conflict Survey, developed by Kris Bosworth and Dorothy Espelage in 1995, is a self-report questionnaire designed to measure the age of onset and frequency of substance use among middle school students in grades 6-8 (ages 11-14). Cited in Dahlberg et al. (2005), the scale was created to assess substance use behaviors, such as alcohol and drug consumption, within the context of conflict and risk behaviors in urban school settings. Grounded in problem behavior theory (Jessor & Jessor, 1977), it examines how early substance use correlates with other high-risk behaviors, supporting violence and substance abuse prevention efforts.
The scale comprises 6 items rated on a frequency scale (e.g., 1 = “never” to 6 = “20 or more times” in the past 30 days) and includes questions about age of first use (e.g., “How old were you when you first drank alcohol?” or “How many times in the past month have you used marijuana?”). Scores are summed for frequency (range: 6-36) or analyzed separately for onset, with higher frequency scores indicating greater substance use. Validated in urban middle school samples, it is used to identify early substance use, evaluate prevention programs, and inform school policies.
Psychologists, educators, and public health researchers use the scale to assess substance use patterns, target interventions, and study risk behavior correlates. Its high internal consistency and focus on early adolescence are strengths, though its English-only availability and specific age range may limit broader application.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a copy of the scale from authorized sources, such as Dahlberg et al. (2005) Measuring Violence-Related Attitudes, Behaviors, and Influences Among Youths (p. 122, available at http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/YV_Compendium.pdf), ensuring ethical use permissions.
- Explain the purpose to respondents, noting that it assesses substance use to promote healthier behaviors, emphasizing anonymity and using age-appropriate, non-judgmental language.
- Provide instructions, asking students to report the age of first use and frequency of substance use in the past 30 days, using the provided scales.
- Approximate time for completion is 3-5 minutes, given its concise 6-item format.
- Administer in a classroom or research setting, using paper or digital formats, ensuring a private environment to promote honest responses. Oral administration may be used for students with reading difficulties.
Reliability and Validity
The Drug and Alcohol Use—Teen Conflict Survey demonstrates strong psychometric properties, as reported in Dahlberg et al. (2005). Internal consistency is high, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.83, indicating good item cohesion for a 6-item scale. Test-retest reliability is not reported, but stability is inferred to be moderate based on similar substance use measures (r ≈ 0.60-0.80 over weeks).
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with related constructs, such as delinquency or peer substance use (r ≈ 0.30-0.50), consistent with problem behavior theory. Discriminant validity is inferred from weaker correlations with unrelated constructs, like academic achievement (r < 0.30). Criterion validity is demonstrated by its ability to identify early-onset substance users and predict risk behaviors in prevention studies. Factor analyses are not detailed, but the scale’s structure aligns with substance use constructs, supporting construct validity. The high reliability makes it robust, though self-report biases suggest pairing with multi-informant data or broader measures like the Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
Available Versions
12-Items
Reference
Dahlberg, L. L., Toal, S. B., Swahn, M. H., & Behrens, C. B. (2005). Measuring violence-related attitudes, behaviors, and influences among youths: A compendium of assessment tools. Centers for disease control and prevention.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Drug and Alcohol Use—Teen Conflict Survey measure?
It measures the age of onset and frequency of substance use.
Who can use the scale?
Psychologists, educators, and researchers studying middle school students.
How long does the scale take to complete?
It takes about 3-5 minutes.
Is the scale specific to certain groups?
It targets grades 6-8 in urban settings.
Can the scale inform interventions?
Yes, it supports prevention programs with high reliability (α = 0.83).
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