Psychometric evaluation of the Amphetamine Cessation Symptom Assessment

J Subst Abuse Treat. 2008 Jun;34(4):443-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2007.05.007. Epub 2007 Jul 13.

Abstract

Testing of a new scale, the Amphetamine Cessation Symptom Assessment (ACSA), in a sample of treatment-seeking amphetamine users (N = 133) showed satisfactory reliability, while factor analysis identified three components explaining 64.7% of the variance in scores. Scores were inversely related to subjective general well-being (r = -.33, p < .01) and directly related to the Beck Depression Inventory (r = .59, p < .01). There were positive relationships between the ACSA and measures of amphetamine dependence (r = .36, p < .01) and the intensity of recent amphetamine use (r = .24, p < .01). The ACSA discriminated between "low-dose" and "high-dose" users, indicating discriminant validity. In inpatients (n = 63), ACSA scores declined significantly over time, while higher scores in inpatient treatment dropouts indicated predictive validity. The ACSA showed satisfactory reliability and validity, with a three-factor solution providing the best fit to the data. The ACSA could play an important role in providing clinical outcome data, particularly in outcome evaluation of new treatment protocols.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amphetamine*
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Substance-Related Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • Amphetamine