Development of a brief substance use sensation seeking scale: validation and prediction of injection-related behaviors

AIDS Behav. 2015 Feb;19(2):352-61. doi: 10.1007/s10461-014-0875-z.

Abstract

Sensation seeking, a personality trait, has been shown to predict engagement in high-risk behaviors. However, little is known regarding the impact of sensation seeking on substance use among street youth. We therefore sought to modify a sensation seeking scale (SSS) for use among this population. Street youth from the Vancouver-based At-Risk Youth Study (n = 226) completed the modified SSS. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA/CFA) were undertaken to establish the scale's dimensionality and internal validity. The association between SSS score and injection-related behaviors was tested using generalized estimating equation analysis. EFA results indicated scale unidimensionality. The comparative fit index (CFI) suggested acceptable fit (CFI = 0.914). In multivariate analysis, sensation seeking was independently associated with injection drug use, crystal methamphetamine use, polysubstance use, and binge drug use (all p < 0.05). Our findings provide preliminary support for the use of the modified SSS among street youth.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Exploratory Behavior
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • Homeless Youth / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Illicit Drugs / poisoning*
  • Male
  • Methamphetamine / administration & dosage
  • Methamphetamine / poisoning*
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Sensation*
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / epidemiology*
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / prevention & control
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*

Substances

  • Illicit Drugs
  • Methamphetamine