A study evaluated three brief screening tools for identifying substance use disorders in adolescents, comparing their psychometric properties for clinical use.
Pediatricians, school health professionals, adolescent medicine specialists, and clinical screening program developers.
3 tools comparedS2BI, BSTAD, and TAPS screening tools evaluated for identifying youth substance use disorders
What the researchers found
The study assessed the S2BI, BSTAD, and TAPS screening tools for identifying substance use disorders in adolescents, evaluating their sensitivity, specificity, and practical utility for clinical screening.
Why it matters
Early identification of substance use disorders in youth requires efficient, validated screening tools. Comparing available options helps clinicians choose the best tool for their setting.
The numbers in context
Three screening tools evaluated: S2BI (Screening to Brief Intervention), BSTAD (Brief Screener for Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs), and TAPS (Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription medication, and other Substance use).
How the study worked
Psychometric evaluation comparing three brief substance use screening tools against diagnostic standards in an adolescent population.
Who was studied
Adolescents assessed for substance use disorders using three different screening tools.
What this study cannot tell us
Screening tool performance may vary across clinical settings and populations; gold standard diagnostic assessments have their own limitations; cultural validity not fully assessed.
How to read the evidence
Psychometric validation study with diagnostic comparison; provides direct evidence for screening tool selection.
When this study was published
Recent evaluation reflecting current screening tool development.
The bigger picture
Efficient youth substance use screening is essential for implementing SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) in primary care and school settings where time and resources are limited.
Replication
Adds to screening tool validation literature; comparative design is relatively novel for adolescent-specific tools.
Funding
Not specified
Conflicts of interest
Not specified
Questions still open
- Which tool works best in primary care vs specialty settings?
- How do these tools perform across different cultural groups?
- Can digital versions improve screening uptake?
Read the original research
Assessment of Screening Tools to Identify Substance Use Disorders Among Adolescents.
JAMA network open, 6(5), e2314422
Citation
Levy, Sharon; Brogna, Melissa; Minegishi, Machiko; Subramaniam, Geetha; McCormack, Jennifer; Kline, Margaret; Menzin, Eleanor; Allende-Richter, Sophie; Fuller, Alyssa; Lewis, Mitra; Collins, Julia; Hubbard, Zach; Mitchell, Shannon G; Weiss, Roger; Weitzman, Elissa. (2023). Assessment of Screening Tools to Identify Substance Use Disorders Among Adolescents.. JAMA network open, 6(5), e2314422. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.14422