Problem Oriented Screening Instrument for Teenagers (POSIT)
Brief Description
The POSIT is a multidimensional tool intended to identify adolescents needing further assessment in problem substance use and nine other functional areas. The other nine areas are:
- physical health
- mental health
- family relations
- peer relations
- educational status
- vocational status
- social skills
- leisure and recreation
- aggressive/delinquent behaviour.
The POSIT is made up of 139 yes/no questions that explore current functioning. The substance use/abuse scale has been the subject of most of the attention for criterion-related validation and other psychometric testing. It is made up of 17 items. A briefer 11-item version has been developed.
A follow-up questionnaire is also available and can be used as a descriptive measure in program evaluation.
Appropriate target populations
The POSIT has been tested in substance use, mental health, corrections and medical settings. It is aimed at adolescents aged 12 to 19 and with at least a fifth grade reading level. The scale has been adapted for use with Latin American Spanish and Portuguese-speaking populations.
Administration options
Formats available
_X_ self-administered (paper-and-pencil)
_X_ self-administered (computer)
___ clinician-administered
Time required
Twenty to 30 minutes.
Languages available
_X_ English
___ French
_X_ Other (Spanish, Portuguese)
Accessibility and cost
_X_ no charge for use
___ use requires permission of test developer
___ use requires special training and/or professional or academic credentials
___ fee for use
Where to Access
National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
P.O. Box 2345
Rockville, MD 20847-2345
1-900-729-6686
OR
Elizabeth Rahdert, Ph.D.
National Institute on Drug Abuse
National Institutes of Health
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 10A-10
Rockville, MD 20857
(301) 443-0107
er34g@nih.gov
PDF available from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction
Computerized version
PowerTrain, Inc.
8201 Corporate Drive
Suite 1080
Landover, MD 20785
(301) 731-0900
Summary of test development data
Quality of reporting
High, based on STARD rating (see Appendix, p. 76).
Summary of validity and Reliability Data
High