Reliability and validity of the youth asset survey: an update.
OBJECTIVE
Improve and expand an existing youth asset scale.


METHODS
Consisted of seven steps: (1) review of poorer-performing items and constructs, (2) literature review for relevant new asset constructs/items, (3) review of revised instrument by panel of experts, (4) qualitative review through focus group research, (5) pilot-test of instrument, (6) evaluation of the performance of the instrument in a longitudinal study, and (7) conduct of test-retest analysis.


METHODS
Youth (N = 1111) recruited through canvassing of randomly selected census tracts and blocks.


METHODS
Youth Asset Survey (YAS).


METHODS
Factor analysis was conducted on 50% of the baseline data and repeated on the second half of the baseline data. Correlations were computed for the test-retest analysis.


RESULTS
Following modifications to the YAS based upon qualitative research, the survey was administered to youth (mean age, 14.3 years; 53% female; 39% white, 28% Hispanic, 23% African-American, 9% other). Cronbach alpha = .55-.92. A majority (27 of 34) of alpha > or = .65. All items loaded on one construct at alpha > or = .40. The final results yielded 17 constructs assessed via 61 items. Spearman correlations and intraclass correlations ranged from .60 to .82 and .58 to .87, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The results generally suggest that the expanded YAS is a reliable and valid measure of assets.
Oman
Roy F
RF
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, 73190, USA. roy-oman@ouhsc.edu
Vesely
Sara K
SK
Tolma
Eleni L
EL
Aspy
Cheryl B
CB
Marshall
La Donna
LD
D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006306:Health Surveys; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011594:Psychometrics; D036301:Qualitative Research; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment; D040241:Social Marketing; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult