Psychometric properties of the generalised version of the Screener for Substance and Behavioural Addictions (SSBA-G): A comprehensive screening tool for substance-related and behavioural addictions

Abstract

Assessing addictive behaviours comprehensively and efficiently is a challenge in both research and clinical practice. Consequently, we tested the psychometric properties of the Generalized Screener for Substance and Behavioural Addictions (SSBA-G), a novel, brief screening tool measuring functional impairment resulting from both substance and behavioural addictions. The SSBA-G was developed from the Screener for Substance and Behavioural Addictions (Schluter et al., 2018) and tested in four samples including university students in Canada (n = 481) and the US (n = 164) as well as community adults in Canada (n = 301), and Hungary (n = 79). Confirmatory factor analysis supported the hypothesized bifactor model of the SSBA-G. Receiver-operation characteristic analyses revealed high differentiation accuracy (AUC=0.86–.95), as well as identical ideal cut points across the Substance Addiction (SSBA-G-S) and Behavioural Addiction (SSBA-G-B) Subscales. Results indicated good-to-excellent sensitivity and moderate-to-good specificity. The SSBA-G demonstrated excellent internal consistency and test-retest reliability as well as promising concurrent validity in relation to the original SSBA and additional questions regarding addiction-related impairment. The SSBA-G also showed good convergent and divergent validity with indicators of general mental health. These results indicate that the SSBA-G is a psychometrically sound and efficient measure of addiction-related impairment across substances and excessive behaviours.