title: Severity of heroin dependence in Taiwan: reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS[Ch]).
abstract: The development of instruments to assess substance use that are easy to use, valid and reliable across cultures is an important task. The present study investigates the reliability and validity of the Chinese language version of the SDS (SDS([Ch])) when used to measure severity of dependence among heroin users in Taiwan (n=522). Data were collected on demographic data, heroin use behaviours, and criminal convictions. Taiwanese heroin users recorded high SDS([Ch]) scores and the results support the validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the SDS. A positive correlation was found between SDS([Ch]) scores and DSM-IV criteria for heroin dependence. SDS([Ch]) scores were positively related to heroin injection, frequency of heroin injection, spending on heroin, earlier age of onset of heroin use and more drug-related criminal convictions. The findings support the suggestion that the concept of dependence as assessed by the SDS has cross-cultural validity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, 1142, Sec.3, Tai-Yuan Rd, Taichung, Taiwan. hjcch@yahoo.com.tw
authors.forename: Vincent Chin-Hung
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Tsang-Yaw
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Hwey-Hwang
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: Te-Jen
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Cleusa P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gossop
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013624:Taiwan