NCJ Number
198941
Journal
Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 12 Issue: 1 Dated: 2002 Pages: 45-63
Date Published
2002
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study's objectives were to develop an Adolescent Wisdom Scale, based on Jason et al.'s (in press) Functional Value Scale, and to determine any associations between scores on this scale and adolescent substance use and other problem behaviors.
Abstract
Two studies were conducted by Jason et al. to construct a measure of perceived wisdom among adults, a measure he called the Foundational Value Scale (FVS). The purposes of the current study were to modify the FVS to be appropriate with adolescents, so as to create an Adolescent Wisdom Scale, as well as to examine the associations between the Adolescent Wisdom Scale and adolescent substance use and other problem behaviors. The study sample consisted of 2,027 high school seniors from 20 school districts in northeastern Minnesota. These school districts were part of Project Northland, a longitudinal community-based alcohol-use prevention trial begun in 1991. The instrument used in the current study was part of a self-report questionnaire that was developed to assess the impact of Project Northland. It included questions pertinent to demographic, behavioral, psychosocial, and process issues. In order to develop the Adolescent Wisdom Scale, students were asked whether they thought they had a particular quality or characteristic. The same 23 items used in Jason's FVS were applied; however, they were revised slightly for the younger group. The Adolescent Wisdom Scale was found to have high internal consistency, and three of its subscales were significantly associated with less involvement with alcohol use, tobacco use, and violent behaviors. The three subscales, which were similar to those of the FVS, were Harmony and Warmth, Intelligence, and Spirituality. The items in each subscale are presented in this article, along with their association with Jason's original scales. 6 tables and 27 references