Psychometric validation of the AOSL scale using confirmatory factor analysis: A nationally representative sample

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Health
• Substance Use Research

Background:

• The opioid overdose epidemic has escalated, with a 28.5% rise in drug-related deaths from 2019-2020.
• Adolescents frequently misuse prescription opioids and may lack knowledge regarding safe management.
• A validated scale is needed to assess adolescent opioid misuse knowledge, attitudes, and interest in safety education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the Adolescent Opioid Safety and Learning (AOSL) scale.
• To confirm the scale's factor structure in a nationally representative adolescent sample using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

Main Methods:

• A nationally representative sample of 774 adolescents (aged 13-18) completed the 16-item AOSL scale.
• Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed to evaluate the fit of a 4-factor model.
• Fit indices included chi-square, CFI, TLI, and RMSEA; internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha.

Main Results:

• Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good fit of the data to the proposed 4-factor model (CFI=0.984, TLI=0.980, RMSEA=0.048).
• The AOSL scale demonstrated high internal consistency within each factor.
• The scale effectively measures knowledge of opioid misuse, harm, interest in learning, and likelihood of misuse behaviors.

Conclusions:

• The validated AOSL scale accurately assesses adolescent knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to prescription opioid safety.
• This tool provides valuable insights for researchers studying adolescent perceptions of opioid safety.
• The AOSL scale can contribute to developing targeted interventions to prevent adolescent opioid misuse.