Structural, concurrent, and predictive validity of the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale in early adolescence

A brief personality risk profile (23 items), the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale was tested for concurrent and predictive validity for substance use in 1139 adolescents (grades 8–10) from a mid-sized city in western Canada. The SURPS was administered in two waves of a longitudinal study separated by 12 months (2003–04). As expected, four subscales were supported by confirmatory factor and metric invariance analysis. In regression analysis, three subscales, hopelessness, impulsivity, and sensation seeking, were positively related to current and future use; while one, anxiety sensitivity, was negatively related. Findings suggest clinical utility for screening adolescents at risk for substance use.

Research Highlights► Brief personality profile predicts the risk of substance use in adolescents. ► Scale factors predict both current use and future use controlling for past use. ► Sensation seeking, negative thinking, and impulsivity predict more use. ► Anxiety sensitivity predicts less use. ► The scale has good structural validity.