Truth or consequences: the validity of self‐report data in health services research on addictions

Abstract

This paper examines factors that influence the veracity of verbal self‐report data in health services research, using a cognitive social‐psychological model of the data‐gathering process as an organizing framework. It begins by briefly summarizing the consequences that can result from measurement error. Next, a cognitive social‐psychological model of the question‐answering process is presented. Common assumptions regarding the utility of specific assessment methods are evaluated with particular emphasis on the strengths and weaknesses of alternative data sources. The framework is then applied specifically to understanding the factors that may affect self‐report measures in health services research relating to alcohol and other substance use. Overall, self‐report procedures can provide useful estimates of consumption in clinical settings when conditions are designed to maximize response accuracy.

Social Disadvantage and Economic Hardship as Predictors of Follow-Up Addiction Severity after Substance Abuse Treatment: Does Referral to Treatment by the Criminal Justice System Matter?

“…Other limitations include the self-reported data used in this study, though the follow-up phone survey was conducted by an outside researcher, which increased the probability that participants would honestly disclose substance use and related consequences because it was confidential. In addition, previous research has found that substance users generally are reliable in self-reporting substance use (DelBoca & Noll, 2000). Also, participants were in a variety of treatment programs and there was no measure of ''dose'' of treatment in this study, so it was not possible to see how differences in treatment methods, length, hours, successful completion, or other characteristics such as provider skill or training might have impacted addiction severity outcomes for participants.…”

Estimates of prenatal abstinence from alcohol: A matter of perspective

“…In general, the rate of agreement about levels of abstinence increased over time, but the strength of agreement ranged from slight to fair except in the postpartum period when it was moderate (K=.48). Since self-report drinking data are neither inherently valid nor invalid, it cannot be assumed that either the self or partner report should be the gold standard, although some conventions increase the value of collateral information if it reveals more substance use than the self-report (Carey & Simons, 2000;DelBoca & Noll, 2000).…”

Predictors of Posttreatment Drinking Outcomes in Patients with Alcohol Dependence

“…Alcohol consumption is often assessed using self-reports. This method has generally proven to be accurate if patients are alcohol free at the time of the assessment, although some experts see corroboration of the respondent's self-reports as desirable [23,24]. Combining self-reporting with biological indicators is also recommended [25].…”