Cited by 3,134Substance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesPsychometric Methodologies and TestingAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

The drug abuse screening test

Skinner, Harvey A.·1982·Addictive Behaviors

Abstract

The Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) was designed to provide a brief instrument for clinical screening and treatment evaluation research. The 28 self-report items tap various consequences that are combined in a total DAST score to yield a quantitative index of problems related to drug misuse. Measurement properties of the DAST were evaluated using a clinical sample of 256 drug/alcohol abuse clients. The internal consistency reliability estimate was substantial at .92, and a factor analysis of item intercorrelations suggested an unidimensional scale. With respect to response style biases, the DAST was only moderately correlated with social desirability and denial. Concurrent validity was examined by correlating the DAST with background variables, frequency of drug use during the past 12 months, and indices of psychopathology. Although these findings support the usefulness of the DAST for quantifying the extent of drug involvement within a help-seeking population, further validation work is needed in other populations and settings.

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Crossref · 10.1016/0306-4603(82)90005-3

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Authors
Skinner, H. A.
Affiliations
University of Toronto (CA)
Corresponding author
Skinner, Harvey A.
Venue
Addictive Behaviors
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
1982-01
Volume
7
Issue
4
Pages
363-371
ISSN
0306-4603 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2141225113
Cited by
3,134
References
17
Citations by year
2026: 116 · 2025: 122 · 2024: 130 · 2023: 154 · 2022: 185 · 2021: 168 · 2020: 214 · 2019: 140 · 2018: 159 · 2017: 186 · 2016: 143 · 2015: 126 · 2014: 128 · 2013: 102 · 2012: 118
FWCI
0.89
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Addictive Behaviors (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Open Scholarship Institutional Repository (Washington University in St. Louis) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
Drug Abuse Screening Test, self-report screening instruments, internal consistency, response style bias, social desirability, denial, concurrent validity, drug use frequency, psychopathology, treatment evaluation
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Alcoholism, Child, Factor Analysis, Statistical, Female, Humans, Male, Mass Screening, Middle Aged, Psychological Tests, Sex Factors, Substance-Related Disorders

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