Psychometric properties and operating characteristics of the Spanish-adapted version of the CRAFFT questionnaire in adolescents from Greater Buenos Aires

Abstract

Introduction: The Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Family and Friends, Trouble (CRAFFT) questionnaire is an instrument used in the screening for problematic alcohol and substance use, abuse or dependence in adolescents. While there is a Spanish-adapted and validated version for Argentine adolescents (CRAFFTa), it cannot be applied indiscriminately because it has not been assessed in different sociocultural settings. Objective: To assess the transferability of the CRAFFTa as a screening tool for problematic alcohol and drug use, abuse or dependence in an adolescent population of low socio-economic level. Population and methods: An anonymous survey was administered to low-income adolescents living in Greater Buenos Aires and attending two secondary schools. The Spanish-adapted version of the CRAFFT questionnaire, validated for its use in Argentina, was administered, while the Problem Oriented Screening Instrument for Teenagers, substance use and abuse subscale (POSITuas) questionnaire was used as a reference test. Results: A total of 146 questionnaires were completed (completion rate: 89.6 %). Reliability was 0.681; criterion validity: 0.697; sensitivity: 93.4; specificity: 72.5; precision: 0.886; positive predictive value: 0.898; negative predictive value: 0.966. Compound reliability was 0.872; average variance extracted: 0.718. Convergent validity was acceptable in the confirmatory factor analysis, and a single-factor structure was used. Conclusions: The operating characteristics of the CRAFFTa questionnaire are acceptable for its use in the screening for problematic alcohol and substance use, abuse or dependence in a low-income adolescent population.