The Validity of Self-Reported Data on Drug Use
TL;DR: Validation studies conducted prior to the mid-1980s involving known samples of drug users or urinalysis techniques showed that drug use was fairly accurately reported in self-report surveys, however, more recent validation studies conducted with criminal justice clients using improved urINALysis techniques suggest less concordance between urinalsysis and self- Report.
Abstract: Surveys of drug use are continually criticized on the premise that respondents underreport the extent of their drug use. Validation studies conducted prior to the mid-1980s involving known samples of drug users or urinalysis techniques showed that drug use was fairly accurately reported in self-report surveys. However, more recent validation studies conducted with criminal justice clients using improved urinalysis techniques suggest less concordance between urinalysis and self-report. This paper reviews these studies and their implications for the validity of self-report in epidemiological drug surveys. Some general conclusions can be drawn from various validation studies. Valid self-reporting of drug use is a function of: 1) the recency of the event, 2) the social desirability of the drug, and 3) nuances of data collection methodology. The paper discusses methods used to improve the validity and quality of self-report data on drug use.
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TL;DR: The literature shows respectable reliability and validity of self-reported behaviours when compared to biomarkers, criminal records and collateral interviews, and concludes that the self-reports of drug users are sufficiently reliable and valid to provide descriptions of drug use, drug-related problems and the natural history ofdrug use.
1,111 citations
Cites background from "The Validity of Self-Reported Data ..."
...Self-reported drug use, for example, is typically compared to urinalysis results or analyses of hair samples (Harrison, 1995)....
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...It should also be noted that some authors argue that current levels of specificity of hair analysis mean that it cannot be used with acceptable accuracy (Harrison, 1995)....
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...A substantial amount of work has been conducted on the validity of self-reported drug use among IDU (Ball, 1967; Cox and Longwell, 1974; Amsel et al., 1976; Bale, 1979; Bale et al., 1981a,b; Magura et al., 1987; Magura and Lipton, 1988; National Institute of Justice, 1991; Darke et al., 1992; Falck et al., 1992; Magura et al., 1992; Sherman and Bigelow, 1992; Ehrman and Robbins, 1994; Hindin et al., 1994; Zanis et al., 1994; Harrison, 1995; Adelekan et al., 1996a) (Table 2)....
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TL;DR: Variables most consistently related to successful outcome are treatment completion, low pretreatment substance use, and peer/ parent social support/nonuse of substances.
Abstract: There are relatively few studies on adolescent substance abuse treatment. The ones that exist tend to be methodologically weak. Methodologically stronger studies have usually found most adolescents receiving treatment to have significant reductions in substance use and problems in other life areas in the year following treatment. Average rate of sustained abstinence after treatment is 38% (range, 30–55) at 6 months and 32% at 12 months (range, 14–47). Variables most consistently related to successful outcome are treatment completion, low pretreatment substance use, and peer/ parent social support/nonuse of substances. There is evidence that treatment is superior to no treatment, but insufficient evidence to compare the effectiveness of treatment types. The exception to this is that outpatient family therapy appears superior to other forms of outpatient treatment.
462 citations
Cites background from "The Validity of Self-Reported Data ..."
...Under reporting is characteristic of recent arrestees (Fendrich and Xu, 1994; Harrison, 1995; Magura and Kang, 1996); for less socially acceptable drugs (e.g., cocaine) (Lundy et al., 1997; Wish, Hoffman and Nemes, 1997); when parents are present (Aquilino, 1997); and when answers are given…...
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...Under reporting is characteristic of recent arrestees (Fendrich and Xu, 1994; Harrison, 1995; Magura and Kang, 1996); for less socially acceptable drugs (e....
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TL;DR: This study provides the first substantial evidence of non-treatment benefit to be derived among young people involved in illegal drug use in receipt of motivational interviewing.
Abstract: Aim To test whether a single session of motivational interviewing (discussing alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use) would lead successfully to reduction in use of these drugs or in perceptions of drug-related risk and harm among young people
Design Cluster randomized trial, allocating 200 young people in the natural groups in which they were recruited to either motivational interviewing (n = 105) or non-intervention education-as-usual control condition (n = 95)
Setting Ten further education colleges across inner London
Participants Two hundred young people (age range 16–20 years) currently using illegal drugs, with whom contact was established through peers trained for the project
Intervention The intervention was adapted from the literature on motivational interviewing in the form of a 1-hour single-session face-to-face interview structured by a series of topics
Measurements Changes in self-reported cigarette, alcohol, cannabis and other drug use and in a range of drug-specific perceptions and other indicators of risk and harm Measurement at recruitment and follow-up interview 3 months later
Findings A good follow-up rate (895%; 179 of 200) was achieved In comparison to the control group, those randomized to motivational interviewing reduced their of use of cigarettes, alcohol and cannabis, mainly through moderation of ongoing drug use rather than cessation Effect sizes were 037 (015–06), 034 (009–059) and 075 (045–10) for reductions in the use of cigarettes, alcohol and cannabis, respectively For both alcohol and cannabis, the effect was greater among heavier users of these drugs and among heavier cigarette smokers The reduced cannabis use effect was also greater among youth usually considered vulnerable or high-risk according to other criteria Change was also evident in various indicators of risk and harm, but not as widely as the changes in drug consumption
Conclusions This study provides the first substantial evidence of non-treatment benefit to be derived among young people involved in illegal drug use in receipt of motivational interviewing The targeting of multiple drug use in a generic fashion among young people has also been supported
433 citations
Cites background from "The Validity of Self-Reported Data ..."
...The accuracy of self-report of drug users, including young people, participating in research studies has been investigated previously and has been found to be reliable in studies which assure participants of confidentiality and the value of the data (Oetting & Beauvais 1990; Harrison 1995; Darke 1998)....
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...…accuracy of self-report of drug users, including young people, participating in research studies has been investigated previously and has been found to be reliable in studies which assure participants of confidentiality and the value of the data (Oetting & Beauvais 1990; Harrison 1995; Darke 1998)....
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TL;DR: In a systematic review of cohort studies of adolescent drinking and later outcomes, Jim McCambridge and colleagues show that although studies suggest links to worse adult physical and mental health and social consequences, existing evidence is of poor quality.
Abstract: Alcohol is responsible for a significant portion of the global burden of disease. There is widespread concern reported in the media and other sources about drinking trends among young people, particularly heavy episodic or “binge” drinking. Prominent among policy responses, in the UK and elsewhere, have been attempts to manage antisocial behaviour related to intoxication in public spaces. Much less attention has been given to the longer term effects of excessive drinking in adolescence on later adult health and well-being. Some studies suggest that individuals “mature out” of late adolescent drinking behaviour, whilst others identify enduring effects on drinking and broader health and social outcomes in adulthood.
If adolescent drinking does not cause later difficulties in adulthood then intervention approaches aimed at addressing the acute consequences of alcohol, such as unintentional injuries and anti-social behaviour, may be the most appropriate solution. If causal relationships do exist, however, this approach will not address the cumulative harms produced by alcohol, unless such intervention successfully modifies the long-term relationship with alcohol, which seems unlikely. To address this issue a systematic review of cohort studies was conducted, as this approach provides the strongest observational study design to evaluate evidence for causal inference.
416 citations
Cites background from "The Validity of Self-Reported Data ..."
...These data are most likely to involve underestimation of true levels of drinking and its consequences for reasons of social desirability, though the possibility of exaggeration should also not be ignored [66,67]....
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TL;DR: Among those aged 35 years, substance use was still rather prevalent and was a function of adulthood roles, experiences, and previous use, including high school use, unemployment, and noncustodial parenthood.
Abstract: Objectives. We examined the prevalence of substance use among American adults aged 35 years, and we considered adulthood predictors and the impact of adolescent substance use. Methods. National panel data were drawn from the Monitoring the Future study. Logistic regressions were conducted to assess the impact of demographics, life experiences, and adolescent substance use on smoking, heavy drinking, prescription drug misuse, marijuana use, and cocaine use at 35 years of age. Results. Factors related to increased likelihood of substance use include high school use, unemployment, and noncustodial parenthood. Lower use was associated with being female, a college graduate, a professional, married, or a custodial parent. Conclusions. Among those aged 35 years, substance use was still rather prevalent and was a function of adulthood roles, experiences, and previous use.
363 citations
References
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TL;DR: The reliability and stability of self-reports of licit and illicit drug use are estimated using longitudinal data, and found to be rather high, although there appears to be a tendency for discrepant reporting of marijuana and alcohol use to be correlated within time.
Abstract: The reliability and stability of self-reports of licit and illicit drug use are estimated using longitudinal data, and found to be rather high. An apparent inconsistency in reporting (less use over a 12-month period than would be expected based on use reported over a 30-day period) is examined (1) for association with personal characteristics and (2) for individual consistency over time. Neither individual consistency nor significant associations are found, although there appears to be a tendency for discrepant reporting of marijuana and alcohol use to be correlated within time. The data used are from the Monitoring the Future project, an ongoing nationwide study of high school seniors, with follow-up surveys after graduation.
463 citations
TL;DR: Hair analysis for drugs of abuse by radioimmunoassay and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is an effective means for identifying drug abusers and provides information concerning the severity and pattern of an individual's drug use.
Abstract: Hair analysis for drugs of abuse by radioimmunoassay and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is an effective means for identifying drug abusers. Hair can be collected under close supervision without embarrassment and is not subject to evasive maneuvers (false negatives) such as temporary abstention, excessive fluid intake, and substitution or adulteration of specimens. Hair analysis has a wide window of detection ranging from months to years and provides information concerning the severity and pattern of an individual's drug use. Hair analysis is also not subject to evidential false positives, such as those caused by poppy seed ingestion, spiking of drinks or food, and mix-up or contamination of specimens. In part, these problems can be avoided because hair analysis can always be repeated with a newly collected specimen. The results of animal experiments and of various clinical, forensic, and criminal justice applications are described.
447 citations
TL;DR: This article explored the quality of drug data in the 1984 wave of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth and found that underreporting of use of illicit drugs other than marijuana appears to have taken place, and that light users of these drugs are underrepresented among the self-acknowledged users.
Abstract: The quality of drug data in the 1984 wave of the Na- tional Longitudinal Survey of Youth is explored. Comparisons with other national surveys indicate that underreporting of use of illicit drugs other than marijuana appears to have taken place, and that light users of these drugs are underrepresented among the self-acknowledged users. Comparison with marijuana use re- ported four years earlier indicates that experimental marijuana users are much less likely than extensive users to acknowledge involvement. Even after controlling for frequency of use, under- reporting is more common among terminal high school dropouts and minorities. Not only individual characteristics but field condi- tions also contribute to underreporting. Familiarity with the inter- viewer, as measured by number of prior interviewing contacts, depresses drug use reporting. We speculate that interviewer familiarity increases salience of normative standards and that par- ticipants respond not only in terms of their past familiarity but also in terms of their subjective expectations regarding the proba- bility of a future encounter with the interviewer.
340 citations
TL;DR: The procedure employed in ascertaining the relability and validity of the interview data consisted of a comparison of interview items with: clinical and administrative records of the hospital, FBI arrest records, and urine samples obtained from the patient, a brief description of each of these sources of information is pertinent.
Abstract: The question of the reliability and validity of interview data obtained from various deviant populations has been an issue of recurrent interest in the social sciences. Two contrary positions have been advanced: (a) Deviant groups, and especially those engaged in illegal behavior, are motivated to-and do-conceal or deny their proscribed behavior,' and (b) deviant subjects will, under appropriate research procedures, report their deviant actions.2 The present report is restricted to an analysis of interview data obtained from a single deviant population, narcotic drug addicts. The sample consists of fifty-nine Puerto Rican addicts who were formerly incarcerated at the U.S. Public Health Service Hospital at Lexington, Kentucky. This sample was drawn from a larger study population of the 242 patients admitted to the hospital from Puerto Rico between 1935 and 1962. Although considerable field, clinical, and institutional data were available with respect to the 242 follow-up subjects, the 59 addicts consisted of all those in,terviewed who had also been federal prisoners at the Lexington or Fort Worth hospitals. The remaining 183 subjects had either been voluntary patients at the hospital (N = 98) on whom FBI records could not be obtained or they were not interviewed (N = 85). One purpose of the follow-up study was to ascertain the posthospital history of the former addict, including whether or not he had relapsed to drug use. The procedure employed in ascertaining the relability and validity of the interview data consisted of a comparison of interview items with: (a) clinical and administrative records of the hospital, (b) FBI arrest records, and (c) urine samples obtained from the patient. A brief description of each of these sources of information is pertinent. The interview schedule consisted of six pages of questions pertaining to the addiction, employment, and criminal history of the former patient. Most of these interviews were obtained in Puerto Rico by an experienced interviewer ; 3in the case that the addict returned to the Lexington hospital after 1962, he was interviewed upon re-admission. The clinical and administrative records of the Lexington hospital contain quite voluminous, but often noncomparable, information. Commonly included in these patients' records were the following: the physician's examination, including drug diagnosis; psychiatric diagnosis; criminal history and pre-sentence report; family and employment data; and treatment progress while hospitalized. The FBI record enumerates arrests re' Howard Becker, Outsiders (New York: Free Press, 1963), pp. 168-70; William Butler Eldridge, Narcotics and the Law (New York: American Bar Association, 1962), p. 26.
262 citations
TL;DR: Drug use self-reports were compared with urinalysis for 248 clients in four methadone treatment programs and some respondents systematically denied disvalued behaviors (i.e., drug use and criminality), leading to a spurious correlation between these behaviors.
Abstract: Drug use self-reports were compared with urinalysis for 248 clients in four methadone treatment programs. The validity of self-reporting based on urinalysis as a criterion depended on the type of drug examined. Opiate reporting was least valid, while benzodiazepine and cocaine reporting were moderately and highly valid, respectively. EMIT urinalysis was far more useful as a criterion of validity than TLC urinalysis. Self-reports helped identify drug users who were missed by urinalysis because of the latter's limited detection period, but urinalysis in turn detected an equal number of drug users missed by the interviews. The age of clients and the type of interviewer directly affected the rate of underreporting. Some respondents systematically denied disvalued behaviors (i.e., drug use and criminality), leading to a spurious correlation between these behaviors. This has important implications for future research.
219 citations