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Initial Development of a New Measure of Minor Stress for Adolescents: The Adolescent Minor Stress Inventory

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Abstract

The primary aim of this study was to develop, standardize, and establish initial reliability and validity for the Adolescent Minor Stress Inventory (AMSI), a new measure of minor stress for adolescents. The AMSI improves upon existing adolescent stress measures in a number of important ways in that it does not emphasize school or classroom-based stressors, and includes a method of adjusting for the over- and underreporting of stress. In this investigation, the AMSI was mailed to 1865 adolescents aged 13–17 from which we obtained 720 (39%) usable surveys. Standardized scoring was developed and the results provide initial data supporting the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the AMSI. The AMSI has potential application both in clinical and research settings, particularly during times when school is not in session or with adolescents who do not regularly attend school.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Hematology and Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida

    Steven C. Ames (Assistant Professor)

  2. Division of Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

    Kenneth P. Offord (Professor Emeritus)

  3. Division of Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

    Liza M. Nirelli (Data Analyst)

  4. Nicotine Dependence Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

    Christi A. Patten (Associate Professor)

  5. Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

    William N. Friedrich (Professor)

  6. Division of Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

    Paul A. Decker (Statistician)

  7. Nicotine Dependence Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

    Richard D. Hurt (Professor)

  8. Division of Hematology and Oncology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Davis Building 8th floor, Jacksonville, Florida, 32224

    Steven C. Ames (Assistant Professor)

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  1. Steven C. Ames
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  2. Kenneth P. Offord
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  3. Liza M. Nirelli
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  4. Christi A. Patten
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  5. William N. Friedrich
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  6. Paul A. Decker
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  7. Richard D. Hurt
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Correspondence to Steven C. Ames.

Additional information

Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida. Received PhD in Clinical Psychology from Louisiana State University in 1999. Research interests include psychological stress and nicotine dependence treatment in adolescents and young adults.

Professor Emeritus, Division of Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN. Received MS in Statistics from Iowa State University in 1971. Research interests include survey research, nicotine dependence treatment, and biostatistics.

Data Analyst, Division of Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Received BS in Applied Statistics from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2000. Research interests include nicotine dependence and survey methods.

Associate Professor, Nicotine Dependence Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Received PhD in Clinical Psychology from University of California, San Diego in 1996. Research interests include nicotine dependence in adolescents.

Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Received PhD in Clinical Psychology from University of North Dakota in 1980. Research interests include impact of trauma.

Statistician, Division of Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Received MS in Applied Mathmatics from University of Minnesota, Duluth in 1999. Research interests include nicotine dependence.

Professor, Nicotine Dependence Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Received MD from University of Louisville in 1970. Research interest in area of tobacco dependence.

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Ames, S.C., Offord, K.P., Nirelli, L.M. et al. Initial Development of a New Measure of Minor Stress for Adolescents: The Adolescent Minor Stress Inventory. J Youth Adolescence 34, 207–219 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-005-4303-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-005-4303-6

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