Conversion and validation of the teen-addiction severity index (T-ASI) for Internet and automated-telephone self-report administration

This study converted the Teen-Addiction Severity Index (T-ASI) into self-report formats using Internet (Net) and interactive voice response (IVR) automated-telephone technologies. Reliability and convergent validity were assessed among 95 inpatient adolescent participants. Current functioning scores obtained by clinician interview correlated well with self-report Net (mean r = .74, SD = .14) and IVR (mean r = .72, SD = .16). Lifetime history items obtained by clinicians were consistent with self-report Net (mean r = .60, SD = .32; mean K = .67, SD = .24) and IVR formats (mean r = .60, SD = .30; mean K = .64, SD = .26). Participants rated "ease of use" as being high for both Net and IVR formats. These findings suggest that automated T-ASI administration is a valid and potentially less expensive alternative to clinician-administered T-ASI interviews.