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Short Index of Problems
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About Short Index of Problems
Scale Name
Short Index of Problems
Author Details
William R. Miller, J. Scott Tonigan, and Richard Longabaugh (1995); further validated by Richard Feinn, Howard Tennen, Henry R. Kranzler (2003), and George A. Kenna et al. (2005)
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Short Index of Problems (SIP), developed by Miller, Tonigan, and Longabaugh (1995), is a 15-item self-report scale designed to assess adverse consequences of alcohol use in adults. Derived from the 50-item Drinker Inventory of Consequences (DrInC), published in the Project MATCH Monograph Series, the SIP covers five domains: Physical (e.g., health issues), Intrapersonal (e.g., guilt, shame), Social Responsibility (e.g., work or financial problems), Interpersonal (e.g., relationship conflicts), and Impulse Control (e.g., risk-taking). It is a brief, unidimensional measure of alcohol-related problems, suitable for clinical and research settings, with a focus on recent (past 3 months) consequences.
Participants rate the frequency of each consequence over the past 3 months on a 4-point Likert scale (0 = “Never” to 3 = “Daily or almost daily”). Total scores range from 0–45, with higher scores indicating greater alcohol-related problems. The SIP was validated with diverse samples, including 1,382 participants from the COMBINE Study (mean age ≈ 40 years, ~69% male, U.S.-based) and 153 emergency department patients (Kenna et al., 2005). Studies show 60–80% of heavy drinkers report at least one consequence. The SIP correlates with the Addiction Severity Index (r ≈ 0.50–0.70), alcohol dependence severity (r ≈ 0.40–0.60), and psychological distress (r ≈ 0.30–0.50). It is used in clinical psychology, addiction treatment, and public health to screen for alcohol-related problems, monitor treatment outcomes, and guide interventions. A drug-specific version (SIP-D) has also been validated (Alterman et al., 2009).
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the scale from Miller et al. (1995) or authorized sources (e.g., National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism), ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (adults with alcohol use) that the questionnaire assesses problems caused by drinking, emphasizing confidentiality and voluntary participation.
- Administer the 15-item scale in a clinical, emergency department, or research setting, using paper or digital formats, with instructions to rate consequences over the past 3 months.
- Estimated completion time is 3–5 minutes.
- Ensure a private, supportive environment; provide support resources (e.g., addiction helplines) and adapt for accessibility (e.g., oral administration) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The SIP demonstrates strong psychometric properties (Feinn et al., 2003; Kenna et al., 2005; Alterman et al., 2009). Internal consistency is high (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.91–0.98) across samples, including 277 substance-abuse patients and 153 emergency department patients. Test-retest reliability is moderate (r ≈ 0.60–0.75 over 2–5 days), though slightly lower in populations with restricted range (e.g., heavy drinkers). Factor analyses confirm a unidimensional structure, with one main factor explaining 49–64% of variance, though some studies suggest weak subscale differentiation (Kenna et al., 2005).
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with the Addiction Severity Index (r ≈ 0.50–0.70), Alcohol Dependence Scale (r ≈ 0.40–0.60), and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (r ≈ 0.45–0.65). Criterion validity is evidenced by its ability to detect alcohol-related impairment and treatment changes. Concurrent validity is shown with medical, economic, and psychiatric problems (r ≈ 0.30–0.60). Pairing with measures like the AUDIT or Leeds Dependence Questionnaire enhances comprehensive assessment.
Available Versions
15-Items
Reference
Miller, W. R., Tonigan, J. S., & Longabaugh, R. (1995). Drinker Inventory of Consequences.
Miller, W. R. (1995). The Drinker Inventory of Consequences (DrInC): An instrument for assessing adverse consequences of alcohol abuse: Test manual (No. 95). US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Feinn, R., Tennen, H., & Kranzler, H. R. (2003). Psychometric properties of the short index of problems as a measure of recent alcohol‐related problems. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 27(9), 1436-1441.
Kenna, G. A., Longabaugh, R., Gogineni, A., Woolard, R. H., Nirenberg, T. D., Becker, B., … & Karolczuk, K. (2005). Can the short index of problems (SIP) be improved? Validity and reliability of the three-month SIP in an emergency department sample. Journal of studies on alcohol, 66(3), 433-437.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Short Index of Problems measure?
It measures adverse consequences of alcohol use across physical, intrapersonal, social, interpersonal, and impulse control domains.
Who is the target population?
Adults with alcohol use, including heavy drinkers and those in treatment.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 3–5 minutes.
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it screens for alcohol-related problems and monitors treatment progress.
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