title: Measuring behaviors of individual adolescents during group-based substance abuse intervention.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Group treatment is delivered in youth correctional facilities, yet groups may be iatrogenic. Few measures with demonstrated psychometric properties exist to track behaviors of individuals during groups. The authors assessed psychometrics for the Group Process-Individual Level measure (GP-IL) of group treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  N = 152 teens were randomized to 1 of 2 groups (10 sessions each). Adolescents, counselors, and observers rated teen behaviors at sessions 3 and 10. GP-IL assesses reinforcement for deviancy and positive behaviors, member rejection, and counselor connection and praise.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Internal consistency and 1-month stability were demonstrated. Concurrent validity is supported by correlations with measures expected to be associated with group behavior (e.g., coping skills). Counselors and observers rated more deviancy during interactive skills-building groups versus didactic psychoeducational groups (P ≤ .005). Scales evidenced incremental validity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GP-IL offers a sound method of tracking adolescent behaviors for professionals working with groups. Counselors ratings were most reliable and valid overall.
authors.affiliation: a Center for Social Sciences Research and Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island , Kingston , Rhode Island , USA.
authors.forename: L A R
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clair
authors.forename: Rosemarie A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Shayna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Soenksen
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lebeau
authors.forename: Damaris J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Rohsenow
authors.forename: Christopher W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Kahler
authors.forename: Warren
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hurlbut
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Monti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011594:Psychometrics; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Delinquency; group assessment; substance treatment