 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Lisa Carella-Ashla, BS, CHES, Behavioral Science and Health Promotion, New York Medical College, School of Public Health, Valhalla, NY 10595, 914-261-8471, lmcarella@nhpanet.com and Eve M Waltermaurer, MCH, Department of Epidemiology, University at Albany, School of Public Health, One University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to develop and test the psychometric properties of a survey for parents of adolescent children for substance abuse prevention. Introduction: In order to develop and implement effective family-based, substance abuse prevention programs, it is important to begin with an assessment of parents’ knowledge, attitudes and skills. Upon review of the current literature, few questionnaires were found that provided a comprehensive assessment of the family factors found to prevent adolescent substance abuse. Methodology: Review of the current literature, published surveys and guidance by experts in the field of adolescent health led to the development of a parent survey. The content validity, inter item reliability, split half reliability and external criterion validity of the instrument were assessed. To assess the survey’s content validity, a panel of experts reviewed and rated each question in the initial survey. A sample of forty-seven participants, parents of adolescent children, was recruited to assess the survey’s inter item reliability. Qualitative questions added to the survey were used to assess split half reliability. Parents of adolescent children who are substance abuse prevention professionals completed the survey to assess the instrument’s external criterion validity. Results: The inter item reliability was assessed for the parent group as a whole as well as by demographic divisions. The final survey yielded strong Cronbach Alpha ranges from .72 to .84. The content validity, split-half reliability, and external criterion validity will also be discussed. The final analysis resulted in a valid, reliable and concise parent survey.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Survey
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.