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Drug and Alcohol Use – Youth Risk Behavior Survey
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About Drug and Alcohol Use – Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Scale Name
Drug and Alcohol Use – Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Author Details
Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2003)
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Drug and Alcohol Use – Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), developed by the Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) at the CDC in 2003, is a self-report questionnaire designed to measure the frequency of self-reported alcohol and drug use among a national population sample of students in grades 9-12 (ages 14-18). Part of the broader YRBS, which monitors health-risk behaviors, the drug and alcohol use section assesses behaviors such as lifetime and past-30-day use of alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and other substances, as well as binge drinking. Grounded in public health surveillance frameworks, the YRBS was established in 1990 to track trends and inform prevention strategies, with data published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (CDC, 2004).
The scale comprises approximately 10-15 items within the YRBS (exact number varies by year), rated on frequency or recency scales (e.g., 0 = “never” to 7 = “40 or more times” for past-30-day use), assessing behaviors like “During the past 30 days, how many times did you use marijuana?” or “How old were you when you first drank alcohol?” Scores are typically reported as prevalence rates or frequencies, not summed, to reflect population trends. Validated in nationally representative samples, it is used to monitor substance use, evaluate prevention programs, and guide policy.
Public health researchers, educators, and policymakers use the YRBS to assess substance use trends, identify at-risk groups, and inform school-based interventions. Its national scope and regular administration (biennial) are strengths, though its self-report nature and moderate reliability for some items may limit precision.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a copy of the YRBS from the CDC’s DASH website (https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/) or 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 health behaviors to improve youth well-being, emphasizing anonymity and using age-appropriate, non-judgmental language.
- Provide instructions, asking students to select the response that best reflects their alcohol and drug use frequency or recency, using the provided scales.
- Approximate time for completion of the drug and alcohol section is 5-7 minutes, within the full YRBS (20-30 minutes).
- Administer in a classroom or research setting, using paper or digital formats, ensuring a private environment. Trained proctors should oversee administration to maintain standardization.
Reliability and Validity
The YRBS drug and alcohol use items demonstrate variable reliability, as reported in Brener et al. (1995). Kappa coefficients for test-retest reliability range from 36.1% to 87.5%, indicating poor to substantial agreement depending on the item (e.g., alcohol use items are more reliable than illicit drug items). Internal consistency is not typically reported, as the YRBS is not a unidimensional scale but a survey of diverse behaviors.
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with related constructs, such as delinquency or mental health issues (r ≈ 0.30-0.50), and consistency with other national surveys (e.g., Monitoring the Future). Discriminant validity is inferred from weaker correlations with unrelated constructs, like academic achievement (r < 0.30). Criterion validity is demonstrated by its ability to predict health outcomes, such as substance dependence or injury, and detect intervention effects. The variable reliability suggests cautious interpretation, particularly for less reliable items, and triangulation with other data sources (e.g., parent reports) is recommended.
Available Versions
18-Items
Reference
Brener, N. D., Collins, J. L., Kann, L., Warren, C. W., & Williams, B. I. (1995). Reliability of the youth risk behavior survey questionnaire. American journal of epidemiology, 141(6), 575-580.
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 YRBS Drug and Alcohol Use section measure?
It measures the frequency of self-reported alcohol and drug use.
Who can use the scale?
Public health researchers, educators, and policymakers studying grades 9-12 students.
How long does the drug and alcohol section take to complete?
It takes about 5-7 minutes within the full YRBS.
Is the scale specific to certain groups?
No, it targets a national sample of grades 9-12 students.
Can the scale inform interventions?
Yes, but variable reliability (kappas 36.1%-87.5%) suggests cautious use.
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