Substance use and antisocial behavior: criterion-related validity of the Antisocial Process Screening Device in Mexican adolescents

Abstract

Introduction. Adolescents who use drugs present several health problems, including criminal behavior. The Antisocial Process Screening Device (APSD) is a test that evaluates current conduct disorders in adolescents. Objective. This research carried out a cross-cultural adaptation of the APSD on Mexican population. Method. The original version of the APSD was translated into Mexican Spanish. The final version was administered to 1 070 adolescents (958 students, 72 with minor faults, and 40 with criminal behavior) who completed the APSD and the ENCODE, the National survey on drug use. We computed correlations and regression models between APSD and ENCODE. We carried out a multivariate analysis to compare samples and quantity of drugs. Finally, we fitted the two-and three-factor models of the APSD with a CFA. Results. The APSD scores correlated significantly with all of the ENCODE variables. In the multivariate analysis, the variable quantity of drugs was significant to rise the APSD score (F [3 847] = 7.53, p = .000). The CFA with three factors had the best fit. Reliability analysis suggests acceptable internal consistency (α = .79). Discussion and conclusion. Our results confirmed that the Mexican Spanish version of the APSD has good psychometric properties to be used in future research.