Substance Initiation Tendency Scale (SITS): Validity and Reliability Study

Background: The purpose of the present study was to make a new contribution to the literature by developing a scale to detect the substance initiation tendencies of young people and adolescents and to create a leading tool for preventive policies to be implemented against substance use. Method: An 8-item and 2-factor measurement tool called the "Substance Initiation Tendency Scale" was created. The data obtained from 470 students studying in 5 high schools in the Genç County of Bingöl, Turkey, were subjected to reliability and validity tests. In this context, Explanatory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), item analysis, and halving methods were used along with the SPSS 24 and AMOS 24 data analysis programs. Results: It was found that the Kaiser-Meyer Olkin (KMO) value was "excellent" with .909 and the Bartlett Sphericity Test was significant, and the scale, which could explain 57.332% of the total variance, had the feature of distinguishing what was intended to be measured. The values obtained from the Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed a "good fit". Conclusion: It was understood that the obtained data were sufficient to confirm the construct's validity.