CRVAW Faculty Journal Articles
Using Item Response Theory to Improve Alcohol Dependence Screening for African American and White Male and Female College Students
Abstract
Background: Alcohol-dependent college students rarely seek treatment, despite the availability of efficacious interventions. Overly simplistic screening procedures, failing to account for differential patterns across demographic groupings, exacerbate this when students in need of intervention are not identified.
Objective: The criterion validity of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test was evaluated, emphasizing sex-related and race-related invariance.
Methods: Item Response Theory was used to evaluate data (collected: 2008 to 2009) from 1500 lifetime-drinking, southeastern US college students, across sex and self-identified race (ie, White, non-Hispanic and Black/African American). Alcohol dependence criteria were used in the sensitivity/specificity analyses.
Results: Item Response Theory results led to item 9’s removal (for race-related noninvariance) and a cut score of 4 (problems/dependence subscale) offered more balanced intergroup scoring.
Discussion: Optimal college student screening may differ by sex and race.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-2013
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/ADT.0b013e3182627431
Repository Citation
Northrup, Thomas F.; Malone, Patrick S.; Follingstad, Diane R.; and Stotts, Angela L., "Using Item Response Theory to Improve Alcohol Dependence Screening for African American and White Male and Female College Students" (2013). CRVAW Faculty Journal Articles. 259.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/crvaw_facpub/259
Notes/Citation Information
Published in Addictive Disorders & Their Treatment, v. 12, issue 2, p 99-109.