NCJ Number
218272
Journal
Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 16 Issue: 2 Dated: 2006 Pages: 115-125
Date Published
2006
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study evaluated a brief version of the Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire-Adolescent (AEQ-A; Brown, Christiansen, and Goldman, 1987), which measures adolescent alcohol effect expectancies during brief interventions.
Abstract
The study found that the brief version of the AEQ-A was a useful instrument for clinicians to use in measuring alcohol effect expectancies in incarcerated teens. The analysis identified two components (positive and potential negative expectancies) that accounted for 46 percent of the variance. Internal consistencies were comparable to those of the original AEQ-A. Scales correlated with criterion variables such as average drinks per week and average number of drinks per heavy drinking day. Cross validation in other samples and other settings is recommended in order to determine whether the two components provide complementary but different information, as well as whether the use of separate items is more useful during clinical discussions than the more global components. The study sample was recruited at a State juvenile correctional facility in the Northeast. Of 144 adolescents approached for the study, 126 met screening criteria and completed the consent procedure. Youth had to meet any one of the following screening criteria: having used marijuana or consumed alcohol regularly (at least monthly) in the year prior to incarceration or binge drank, having used marijuana or alcohol in the 4 weeks before the offense for which they were incarcerated, or having used marijuana in the 4 weeks before they were incarcerated. The assessments consisted of a 90-minute interview by a trained staff member. 2 tables and 31 references