The validation of the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) amongst Pacific people in New Zealand

David Newcombe; Helen Tanielu-Stowers; Rebecca McDermott; Jane Stephen; Vili Nosa

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The validation of the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) amongst Pacific people in New Zealand

Journal article

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The validation of the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) amongst Pacific people in New Zealand

David Newcombe, Helen Tanielu-Stowers, Rebecca McDermott, Jane Stephen and Vili Nosa

New Zealand Journal of Psychology, Vol.45(1), pp.30-39

2016

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Abstract

ASSIST

validation

problematic substance-use

Pacific

New Zealand

The aim of this study was to examine the validity of the WHO Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) in Pacific People in New Zealand (NZ). Face validity was initially examined via focus groups. Feedback was largely positive with suggestions for modifications (simplifying questions, incorporating local slang), adopted and incorporated. The concurrent, construct and discriminative validity of the modified ASSIST was then examined in 150 Pacific people (100 from primary care, 50 from addiction treatment). Participants were administered the modified ASSIST and a battery of tests that offered alternative measures of the phenomena of interest. Results demonstrated that the ASSIST had satisfactory concurrent and construct validity. Results for discriminative validity were limited, in that participant numbers in drug categories, other than alcohol, were too small to permit analyses. The modified ASSIST could be used as a culturally acceptable screening tool for problematic substance use for Pacific people in NZ, but further research is required to examine discriminative validity.

Details

Title: The validation of the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) amongst Pacific people in New Zealand
Authors: David Newcombe (Corresponding Author) - University of Auckland
Helen Tanielu-Stowers - University of Auckland
Rebecca McDermott - University of Auckland
Jane Stephen - University of Auckland
Vili Nosa - University of Auckland
Publication details: New Zealand Journal of Psychology, Vol.45(1), pp.30-39
Publisher: New Zealand Psychological Society
Date published: 2016
ISSN: 1179-7924; 0112-109X
Organisation Unit: School of Health - Psychology
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991199050602621
Output Type: Journal article

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