NCJ Number
162793
Journal
Substance Use and Misuse Volume: 31 Issue: 7 Dated: (1996) Pages: 785-824
Date Published
1996
Length
40 pages
Annotation
The screening instrument used to assess arrested juveniles who entered a juvenile assessment center in Hillsborough County (Fla.) was assessed with respect to its reliability, using data from 245 adolescents evaluated for drug use problems.
Abstract
The research focused on the Problem Oriented Screening Instrument for Teenagers (POSIT), which was developed for youths ages 12-19 years. Information was gathered from the youths who were processed on two or more occasions at the Hillsborough County Juvenile Assessment Center between May 5 and December 31, 1993. The analysis focused on the relationship between the youths' initial and second admission POSIT results for different time intervals between administration of the instrument: up to 2 weeks, 3-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, and 13-33 weeks. Results revealed that the concordance rates between the first and second assessments remained high across the various time intervals of comparison; concordance rates were highest for the shortest time values. Findings indicated that the POSIT provides a consistent indication of potentially troubled youths who are in need of in-depth assessment and intervention or treatment services. Tables, appended POSIT instrument, and 18 references (Author abstract modified)