Is it Possible to Assess the Two-Domain Definition of the Broad Autism Phenotype Using the Available Measurement Tools?

Although, the operationalization of the autism spectrum disorder has been updated around two domains, the broad autism phenotype (BAP) one has not. Additionally, the items of the three common BAP measures, the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (BAPQ), the Autism Quotient, and the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), remain organized around a non-consensual number of factors. We explored whether the items of these measures matched with the two-domain operationalization through a parallel analysis, which has suggested two main components, and two expert judgments which have assessed item wording, relevance, and construct representativeness. A remaining pool of 48 BAP-relevant items suggested a possible under-representation of two subdomains. Despite the relevance of all the BAPQ items, only the SRS ones tapped in all subdomains.

Aplicación de un modelo politómico de TRI al test ASSIST para el estudio de sus propiedades métricas / Application of a IRT polytomous model to ASSIST test for the study of psychometric properties

La cocaína es, tras el cannabis, la sustancia de comercio ilegal más consumida en Europa y España. Su uso está fundamentalmente vinculado a los contextos recreativos de ocio y a jóvenes-adultos, quienes son reticentes a contactar con los servicios asistenciales, acudiendo a estos cuando desarrollan problemas graves. Por ello, resulta necesario disponer de herramientas de cribado que ayuden a la detección temprana de problemas relacionados con el consumo de cocaína. Objetivo. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar las propiedades psicométricas de la versión auto-aplicada on line del test de cribado ASSIST (Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test). Método. La muestra está formada por 1176 consumidores de cocaína que cumplimentaron el ASSIST on line. Las propiedades psicométricas serán estudiadas empleando el Modelo del Crédito Parcial, dentro de la familia de la Teoría de la Respuesta al Ítem (TRI). Resultados. En términos generales, se observa un adecuado ajuste de los datos al modelo. No obstante, se aprecia un funcionamiento deficiente de las categorías de respuesta. Igualmente, se aprecia un desplazamiento de la posición de los ítems en el continuo con respecto a las personas, siendo deficientemente medidas las personas con niveles bajos de riesgo asociado al consumo. Conclusiones. El análisis del ASSIST desde la perspectiva de la TRI ha mostrado algunas deficiencias de este test cuando se aplica sobre este tipo de muestra consumidora de cocaína. A pesar de una calibración de los ítems adecuada, se proponen mejoras que permitan reducir el error de medida en las personas que presentan niveles bajos de riesgo asociado al consumo de cocaína (constructo) y modificaciones respecto a las alternativas de respuestas (AU)

Cocaine is, second after cannabis, the most used illegal drug in Europe and Spain. Its use is primarily linked to recreational nightlife settings and young adults who are reluctant to contact with health services and draw on these when they develop serious drug problems. Therefore, screening tools are needed to help early detection of problems related to cocaine use. Aim. The aim of this paper is to analyse the psychometric properties of an online self-applied version of ASSIST (Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test). Method. The sample consisted of 1176 cocaine users who completed the ASSIST online. The psychometric properties are studied using the Partial Credit Model, within the family Item Response Theory (IRT). Results. In general terms, the degree to which the test response data are as expected from the model is good. However, ASSIST test shows a poor fit of the response categories. Similarly, the relative positions of the items on the continuum imply poor measurement of people with low levels of risk associated with drug use. Conclusion. ASSIST analysis from the perspective of IRT has showed some shortcomings in this test when applied to this type of sample of cocaine users. Despite good item calibration, several improvements to reduce the measurement error in people with low levels of risk associated with cocaine use (construct) and changes in responses categories are proposed (AU)