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An experimental validation study of the SASSI: Predicting alcohol related behavior in law enforcement applicants

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Abstract

This investigation evaluated the validity and utility of two versions of the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI, SASSI-2; Miller, 1988, 1996) for determining alcohol related risks among law enforcement applicants. Three hundred and seventy applicants were assessed in two separate studies to determine the degree to which SASSI classification corresponds with self-reported a) number of drinks per month, b) admissions to having recently driven while intoxicated, and c) adminissions to having ever been worried about one's drinking behavior. Analyses revealed a pattern of poor discrimination for both versions of the SASSI, raising concerns regarding its use as a clinical assessment tool.

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Herrmann, D.S., Durante, MK. & Ford, R. An experimental validation study of the SASSI: Predicting alcohol related behavior in law enforcement applicants. J Police Crim Psych 16, 58–69 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02805181

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