Data will be presented from a reliability and validity study of the Voice DISC with delinquent youth in residential care at Boys Town. Subjects were randomly allocated to one of four groups (n=80/group) in repeated measures design. Two groups receive both methods of administration; the computerized self-report and conventional lay interviewer administration in counter-balanced fashion. Two further groups provide test-retest reliability information on each method of administration Data are currently available for the first 222 subjects. The sample is 58% male; Ethnicity is 61% Caucasian, 21% African-American, 9% Hispanic, 3% Native American, Mixed/Other 7%, Unknown 1%. The age range is 9 to 18 years (mean=14.78). Initial estimates show that administration time for the Voice DISC is approximately 30% that obtained by conventional lay administration. Acceptability is universally high, with over 70% of adolescent subjects preferring self-administration. Preliminary test-retest data (n=98) shows no significant differences in reliability of diagnoses between self-administered and interviewer administered DISC. Reliability of diagnoses was: Separation Anxiety (Voice 0.3, Person 0.48), Conduct Disorder (Voice 0.42, Person 0.51), Marijuana Abuse (Voice 0.55, Person 0.42), Marijuana Dependence (Voice 0.77, Person 0.34), Nicotine Dependence (Voice 0.73, Person 0.69). Full data analysis will be completed by the end of April 2001, and will include the final total of 360. In addition to prevalence data in this sample, validity information will be presented for the subset (n=180) that additionally received a clinician concurrent validation protocol. The Voice DISC appears to be time efficient, reliable and preferred by adolescent subjects.
Learning Objectives: Learning objectives At the conclusion of the session, the learner will 1. Recognize the high levels of psychiatric disorder in youth in justice settings. 2. Increase awareness of range of service needs of youth in corrections. 3. Identify new methods for screening for mental health problems in justice populations.
Keywords: Child/Adolescent Mental Health, Criminal Justice
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.