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Development of a Computer-Based Format for the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST)
Adriana Oliveira Christoff1, Heloisa Gomm Arruda Barreto2, Roseli Boerngen-Lacerda3
1a UNIBRASIL, Escola da Saude , Curitiba , Brazil.
Substance Use & Misuse
|May 19, 2016
Summary
The computer-based Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSISTc) and the interview format (ASSISTi) show comparable results for screening substance use in university students. Both methods are acceptable and can be used interchangeably for early detection.
Area of Science:
- Substance Abuse Research
- Psychometric Evaluation
- Digital Health Tools
Background:
- The Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) is a validated tool for detecting harmful drug use.
- University students exhibit high rates of substance use, necessitating a reliable and feasible screening instrument.
- Comparing digital and traditional screening methods is crucial for adapting to modern healthcare settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the psychometric properties and user experience of a computer-based version of the ASSIST (ASSISTc) against its traditional interview format (ASSISTi).
- To determine if the ASSISTc is a viable and interchangeable alternative to the ASSISTi for screening substance use in a university student population.
Main Methods:
- A counterbalanced design was employed, with 809 university students completing both ASSISTi and ASSISTc formats within a 15-day interval.
- Statistical analyses included intraclass correlations (ICC), kappa (κ), and Cronbach's alpha (α) to assess reliability and agreement.
- A satisfaction questionnaire evaluated user perceptions of acceptability, ease of use, and intimidation levels for both formats.
Main Results:
- Excellent intraclass correlations (ICC > .77) were observed for overall substance involvement scores between the two formats.
- Substantial agreement was found for tobacco (κ = .69) and cannabis (κ = .70), with moderate agreement for alcohol (κ = .58).
- Both formats demonstrated high user acceptability and feasibility, with no significant differences in intimidation or ease of response.
Conclusions:
- The computer-based ASSIST (ASSISTc) and interview-based ASSIST (ASSISTi) yield comparable scores for substance use screening.
- The ASSISTc is a reliable and acceptable alternative to the ASSISTi, allowing for interchangeable use in screening university students.
- These findings support the adoption of digital screening tools in academic settings for early detection of substance involvement.
