The Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index (RAPI): A Comparison of Cut-Points in First Nations Mi’kmaq and Non-Aboriginal Adolescents in Rural Nova Scotia

Abstract

Important to the assessment of adolescent alcohol misuse is examination of alcohol-related problems. However, most measurement tools have only been validated among Euro-American cultures. The present study assessed the ability of the Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index (RAPI) to identify problem drinkers among groups of First Nations Mi'kmaq and non-Aboriginal adolescents from rural Nova Scotia and compared cut-point scores across cultural groups. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analyses revealed that the RAPI adequately distinguished between problem and non-problem drinkers in both groups with similar levels of precision. Cut-points were lower for First Nations Mi'kmaq as compared to non-Aboriginal adolescents. Results support the use of the RAPI with First Nations Mi'kmaq and non-Aboriginal adolescents and suggest that cutpoints may need to be lowered for use with First Nations Mi'kmaq adolescents. Findings highlight the need for empirical examination of the cross-cultural psychometric applicability of alcohol assessment tools and cut-points among First Nations adolescents.

Determinants of Substance Abuse in a Population of Children and Adolescents Involved with the Child Welfare System

“…Adolescent substance abuse is identified as a problem in some Aboriginal communities (Noel et al 2010;Thomas et al 2010). After controlling for other variables in the model, aboriginal status did not show a statistically significant association with substance abuse.…”

Examination of Anxiety Sensitivity and Distress Tolerance as Transdiagnostic Mechanisms Linking Multiple Anxiety Pathologies to Alcohol Use Problems in Adolescents

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Posttraumatic stress hyperarousal symptoms mediate the relationship between childhood exposure to violence and subsequent alcohol misuse in Mi'kmaq youth

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