This annex outlines the format of the questionnaire and. illustrates the approach, purpose and scoring of the questions used in its

Transcription

1 Questionnaire Construction This annex outlines the format of the questionnaire and illustrates the approach, purpose and scoring of the questions used in its construction. There are 12 areas in which the psychosocial variables are categorised in the main questionnaire while Annexes A and B (of the questionnaire) contain questions specific to the category of abusers and nonabusers respectively. Questions 1 to 13: Personal and Family Profile The first 13 questions capture the personal profile details of the respondents with the intent of identifying the general profile characteristics of Ecstasy abusers. These details include age group, total family income, type of accommodation, family size, marital status, religious affiliation and current level of adherence, academic performance, the types of schools attended from primary to higher levels and the conduct or disciplinary record in school. In addition, respondents were also asked if they had left school prematurely or ever placed on probation as beyond parental care (BPC) cases while in school and if they had committed criminal acts after they had left school. Questions 14 to 17: Social Recreational Activities The next four questions focus on the social recreational activities of the respondents and aim to establish any correlation with the type of social recreational or leisure activities, the frequency of their social night activities as well as possible linkage with other possible precursory habits such as alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking.

2 Question 18: Social Desirable Responding (SDR) This segment is incorporated in view of the sensitivity of the survey, in which respondents are asked potentially self-incriminating questions. Due to the high possibility of impression management or avoidance of disapproval, where respondents give responses that make themselves look good, this question is introduced to identify any response set (Paulhus, 1991). The question comprises a total of ten statements selected specifically from the Marlowe-Crowne Scale Desirability (MCSD) and the Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding (BIDR Version 6-Form 40) measures, due to their high reliability and validity results. Of the ten statements on personal traits and attitudes, five are positively keyed statements while the other five are negatively keyed statements. The latter are reverse-scored items. Respondents are asked to fill in their responses from a three-point response format (True, Somewhat True, False) and the scale range is from 10 to 30, with lower scores representing higher levels of social desirable responding and need for approval. MSCD h) b), c) and j) BIDR (Version 6-Form 40) a), d), e) and f) g) and i) Question 19: Self-esteem Self-esteem, as a hypothetical construct, is the total affective evaluation of an individual s own worth, value or importance. The perceived

3 significance of the self is tested here to ascertain if low levels of self-esteem adversely affect the valency of the individual towards Ecstasy abuse. While there are indeed different facets of self-esteem, the direct self-report method has been recognised as the most pragmatic of measurement of such attribute. The Self-Esteem Scale (SES) by Rosenberg (1965) and the Self-Esteem Inventory (SEI) by Coopersmith (1967) are selected for their high validity with self-reports. The SES is the most popular measure of global self-esteem and it is the standard developers of other measures sought convergence. (Robinson et al, 1991, pp 120) The SEI is similarly popular and the overall scale correlates high with the SES. Ten statements from the two scales are selected with careful consideration given to the clarity and relevance of each statement. Five positively keyed statements and five negatively keyed statements state how the respondents felt about themselves and they are asked to fill in their responses from a four-point response format (Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree). The negatively keyed statements are reversescored items and the scale range is from 10 to 40, with lower scores representing higher self-esteem. SES (Rosenberg) a) and c) b), d) and e) SEI (Coopersmith) g), h) and j) f) and i)

4 Question 20: Perception of Subjective Well-Being Multi-item scales focussing on global well-being and different dimensions are employed here as they have a higher validity due to the wider scope of information, which reflects a broader range of components of wellbeing. Here, a total of ten statements is accordingly selected from the Life Satisfaction Index A, Life Satisfaction Index B, Philadelphia Geriatric Centre (PGC) Morale Scale Factor 3 and Memorial University of Newfoundland Scale of Happiness (MUNSH) Affectometer 2, with careful consideration given to providing a high level of relevance through readily identifiable statements. The ten statements relate to perception of life that people feel differently about. Five are positively keyed while the rest are negatively keyed. The negatively keyed statements are reverse-scored items. Respondents are asked to fill in their responses from a four-point response format (Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree) and the scale range is from 10 to 40, with lower scores representing higher life satisfaction. Life Satisfaction Index A a), c) and e) d) and j) Life Satisfaction Index B - b) PGC Morale Scale F3 i) g) and h) MUNSH Affectometer 2 f) -

5 Question 21: Personal Values (Religiosity) Religiosity: The ten statements on a person s religious values, taken from W. A. Scott s Personal Value Scales on Religiousness (in Robinson, Shaver and Wrightsman, 1991, pp 728), test for correlation with observance of any religious affiliation as well as the perceived level of adherence. The statements describe persons who practise their religion through close observation of rituals, obligations and teachings and high regard for the faith and belief in God or a Supreme Being. Respondents choose the answer that best describes how they would feel about that person from a three-point response format (Always Admire, Depends on Situation, Always Dislike) and the scale range is from 8 to 24, with lower scores representing higher levels of religiosity. Personal Value Scales - Religiosity a), b), d), g) and j) c), e), f), h) and i) Question 22: Personal Values (Moral Behaviour) Moral Behaviour: This segment on moral behaviour comprises ten statements which illustrate different acts or situations. The first five statements are taken from the Moral Behaviour Scale from Crissman and from Rettig and Pasamanick. (Robinson, Shaver and Wrightsman, 1991, pp 741) Respondents are asked to indicate how they feel about certain acts and

6 situations from a four-point response format (Least Wrong to Most Wrong) and the scale range is from 8 to 32, with higher scores representing higher levels of moral behaviour values. The second set of five statements is taken from the Morally Debatable Behaviours Scale from Harding and Phillips. (Robinson, Shaver and Wrightsman, 1991) Respondents similarly indicate the response that best describes how they felt about certain acts and situations from a four-point response format (Never Justifiable or Acceptable to Always Justifiable or Acceptable) and the scale range is from 8 to 32, with lower scores representing higher levels of moral behaviour values. Keyed Items Moral Behaviour Scale a) to e) MDB Scale f) to j) Question 23: Sensation Seeking Sensation seeking: This segment comprising ten statements are taken from the Sensation Seeking Scale form V (SSS-V) (Zuckerman, 1994, pp ), which tests the four different aspects of sensation seeking. These are Thrill and Adventure Seeking (TAS), Experience Seeking (ES), Disinhibition (Dis) and Boredom Susceptibility (BS). The first, sixth and ninth statements test for TAS traits while the second, seventh and tenth statements test for ES traits. Likewise, the third and fifth statements test for Dis traits while the fourth and eighth test for BS traits. Each statement offers choices A

7 and B to the respondents who indicate the response that they prefer best. The table below reflects the responses typical of the traits indicated and higher scores incidence of similar scores reflect a higher level. Keyed Items Thrill & Adventure Seeking Experience Seeking Disinhibition Boredom Susceptibility a) B, f) B and i) A b) A, g) A and j) B c) A and e) B d) B and h) B Question 24: Locus of Control The ten statements relate to perception of life situation in general. Five statements are positively keyed while the other five are negatively keyed and statement iv) is the only reverse-scored item. Respondents are asked to fill in their responses from a four-point response format (Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree) and the scale range is from 10 to 40, with lower scores representing higher life satisfaction. I, P, and C Scales a), e), i) and j) b) and c) Rotter I-E Scale d)*, f) and h) g) * This is the only item that is positively keyed but reverse-scored.

8 Question 25: Alienation / Anomie Here, a total of ten statements was selected from the tests adapted by Melvin Seeman (in Robinson, Shaver and Wrightsman, 1991) with careful consideration given to the phrasing and nomenclature of each statement. The test features the most popular measure of alienation and anomie and the overall scale correlates high with the SES. They do not measure the state of mind but rather the state of society as perceived. The individual-centred viewpoint is that certain people may not conform to presumed norms as they note that others are deviating from such norms to achieve goals and have been successful. Thus, anomie here is measured by three components of i) personal mastery, ii) normlessness and iii) social isolation. The set of ten statements comprises three positively keyed statements and seven negatively keyed statements. The negatively keyed statements are reverse-scored items. Respondents are asked to fill in their responses from a four-point response format (Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree) and the scale range is from 1 to 4, with higher scores representing alienation. Personal Mastery a) b) and c) Normlessness - e), f) and j) Social Isolation d) and g) h) and i)

9 Questions 26 and 27: Social Network / Deviant Modelling Impressionable teenagers and youths tend to emulate persons whom they respect or idolise. In their bid to imitate their models, some inevitably pick up unhealthy habits such as drug abuse. Some of such models need not necessarily be pop or movie icons as even family members, relatives or friends may exert considerable influence. (Kafka and London, 1991) Question 26 tests for correlation with acquaintances who have been involved in drug abuse while Question 27 explores if there is any close relationship with such acquaintances. Question 28: Social Support Family-Friends Normative Conflict This variable of social support, termed family-friends conflict, is measured by two aspects of family cohesiveness and friendship bonding. The set of ten statements comprises eight positively keyed statements and two negatively keyed statements. Respondents are asked to fill in their responses from a four-point response format (Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree) and the scale range is from 1 to 4. The negatively keyed statements here are forward-scored items as indicated by the responses. However, as both aspects are the reverse of the other, the scores for friendship bonding are reversed and added to the scores for family cohesiveness for the total tally. Lower scores indicate higher family cohesiveness while higher scores indicate higher friendship bonding.

10 Family cohesiveness a), b), e) and h) g) Friendship bonding c), d), i) and j) f) Question 29: Attitude Towards Drug Abuse and Ecstasy Abuse There are a total of ten questions assessing the attitude and the level of tolerance towards drug abuse, of which four are specifically concerned with the abuse of Ecstasy. There are a total of seven anti-drug and drug-tolerant statements on drug abuse with three drug-tolerant ones and all are randomly arranged to prevent any trend spotting. Anti-drug statements a), h) and i) e) Drug-tolerant statements b), c) and f) - Attitude towards Ecstasy abuse d) and j) g) Questions 30 and 31: Knowledge of Dangers of Ecstasy Abuse The two questions attempt to establish the source or conduit of knowledge of Ecstasy drugs and test their knowledge level on the dangers of Ecstasy. The ten statements in Question 31 contain facts collated from various literature as well as drug prevention education handouts from CNB.

11 Four of these are factually correct while the rest are incorrect. Respondents are asked to fill in their responses from a three-point response format (True, Not Sure and False) to assess the degree of conviction about their knowledge. A Not Sure response is included in addition to the categorical True or False, to surface any uncertainties and avoid any guessing. The six incorrect statements are reverse-scored and the range of scores is from 10 to 30. Lower scores represent higher level of knowledge of the dangers of Ecstasy abuse. Question 30: This question establishes the means or channel through which a person learns about Ecstasy. Question 31: Correct Incorrect a), e), f) and j) b), c), d), g), h) and i) Annex A: For Abusers Only There are fifteen questions in this annex intended for Ecstasy abusers sample group. Questions A1 and A2: Screening Question on Previous Drug Abuse The first two questions ask respondents if they had previously abused drugs before and if so, details about the abuse. The questions help to identify respondents who may not have had previous drug antecedents but were abusing other drugs prior to Ecstasy.

12 Questions A3 to A5: Accessibility to Ecstasy and Location of Abuse Here, we try to establish if Ecstasy abusers were drawn into the criminal acts due to easy accessibility to the drugs or if the opposite was true and they were attracted to it as a forbidden fruit. The third question asks about the point of introduction to find out the abuser s first access to drugs and the manner in which such drugs are introduced through such contacts. The fourth question asks about the ease of obtaining the drugs whenever the abuser seeks them while the fifth question inquires about the usual location of abuse, to verify the purpose behind obtaining the drugs. Questions A6 to A12: Circumstances Surrounding Ecstasy Abuse The sixth and seventh questions aim to understand the rationale behind the abuser s choice to abuse controlled drugs and ascertain if the intents were the same each time. The eighth and ninth questions ask about the attraction towards Ecstasy and if the expectation was met. The tenth question is a hypothetical question on the ability of the abuser to stop the habit if he or she was not arrested. The eleventh question asks about the source of financial means to support the abuse while the twelfth question seeks to understand if the occupation held would have been able to sustain the continued abuse of the drugs. Questions A13 to A15: Social Control / Fear of the Law These last three questions are to ascertain if the respondent was aware of the current punishment at all, if it was a deterrent and if the

13 respondent feared arrest by the authorities. These questions hope to understand if the current punitive measures were sufficient in eliciting compliance. : For Non-Abusers Only The six questions in are to be answered by respondents in the non-abuser sample group. Questions B1 to B2: Screening Questions Like the first two questions in the Annex A, the first two questions are basic screening questions, asking respondents if they had ever previously abused drugs before and if so, the type of drugs abused. The questions help to identify respondents who may not have had been arrested but had previously abused drugs. The questions are simple but yet important as honest responses here will reduce consequent inaccuracies should the respondents in this group happen to be abusers, whether long past or recent. However, it is noted that these questions are not totally reliable as respondents may have in the past abused or even currently abusing drugs unreportedly, due to fear of punishment. However, to alleviate this problem, previous abusers would be assured that no action would be taken against them if they admitted at the onset. It is also beneficial to add the list of various types of drugs in the event that respondents consider themselves as nonabusers so long as they had not abused Ecstasy.

14 Question B3: Accessibility to Ecstasy This question is similar in nature to Question A3 of Annex A, whose purpose is to establish if Ecstasy abusers were able to easily obtain Ecstasy or other types of drugs. Questions B4 to B6: Social Control / Fear of the Law These last three questions are similar to the last three in Annex A, whose purpose is to ascertain if social controls are adequate, in terms of the legislation and the probability of arrest by the authorities.