Initial validation of a computer-administered Addiction Severity Index: the ASI-MV

Psychol Addict Behav. 2001 Mar;15(1):4-12. doi: 10.1037/0893-164x.15.1.4.

Abstract

The Addiction Severity Index--Multimedia Version (ASI-MV) is a CD-ROM-based simulation of the interviewer-administered Addiction Severity Index (ASI). Clients in treatment (N = 202) self-administered the ASI-MV to examine the test-retest reliability, criterion validity, and convergent-discriminant validity of the ASI-MV. Excellent test-retest reliability was observed for composite scores and severity ratings. Criterion validity, tested against the interviewer-administered ASI, was good for the composite scores. For severity ratings, variable agreement was observed between the ASI-MV and each interviewer, suggesting poor interrater reliability among interviewers. This conclusion was bolstered by a finding of superior convergent-discriminant validity for both composite scores and severity ratings compared to the standard ASI. The ASI-MV is a viable alternative to the expensive and potentially unreliable interviewer-administered version.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • New England
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Severity of Illness Index*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / diagnosis*
  • User-Computer Interface*