An item response theory analysis of DSM-IV criteria for hallucinogen abuse and dependence in adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
This study applied both item response theory (IRT) and multiple indicators-multiple causes (MIMIC) methods to evaluate item-level psychometric properties of diagnostic questions for hallucinogen use disorders (HUDs), differential item functioning (DIF), and predictors of latent HUD.


METHODS
Data were drawn from 2004-2006 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. Analyses were based on 1548 past-year hallucinogen users aged 12-17 years. Substance use and symptoms were assessed by audio computer-assisted self-interviewing methods.


RESULTS
Abuse and dependence criteria empirically were arrayed along a single continuum of severity. All abuse criteria indicated middle-to-high severity on the IRT-defined HUD continuum, while dependence criteria captured a wider range from the lowest (tolerance and time spent) to the highest (taking larger amounts and inability to cut down) severity levels. There was indication of DIF by hallucinogen users' age, gender, race/ethnicity, and ecstasy use status. Adjusting for DIF, ecstasy users (vs. non-ecstasy hallucinogen users), females (vs. males), and whites (vs. Hispanics) exhibited increased odds of HUD.


CONCLUSIONS
Symptoms of hallucinogen abuse and dependence empirically do not reflect two discrete conditions in adolescents. Trends and problems related to hallucinogen use among girls and whites should be examined further to inform the designs of effective gender-appropriate and culturally sensitive prevention programs.
Wu
Li-Tzy
LT
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. litzy.wu@duke.edu
Pan
Jeng-Jong
JJ
Yang
Chongming
C
Reeve
Bryce B
BB
Blazer
Dan G
DG
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006213:Hallucinogens; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012737:Sex Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*
D006213:Hallucinogens