Development of the chemsex assessment for referral and evaluation (CARE) with preliminary psychometric properties: A screening tool for referral needs in community settings

IF 3.6 2区医学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Addictive behaviors Pub Date : 2025-08-26 DOI:10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108472

Takeshi Miwa , Chung-Ying Lin , Stephane Wen-Wei Ku , Chia-Wen Li , Poyao Huang , Jing-Hao Hsu , Adam Bourne , Carol Strong

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Chemsex, the use of substances to enhance or prolong sexual experiences before or during sex, is an important public health issue among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM). To address the lack of tailored screening tools, this study developed the Chemsex Assessment for Referral and Evaluation (CARE) to identify gbMSM who may benefit from specialised care.

Methods

A cross-sectional online survey for gbMSM who engaged in chemsex in the past year was conducted in Taiwan. Exploratory factor analysis and Rasch analysis assessed the 18 dichotomous CARE items; Kuder-Richardson Formula 20 (KR-20) evaluated internal reliability; the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) and Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST)-10 determined the optimal cut-off for comparing substance-related traits between low- and high-score groups.

Results

Using data from 730 participants, the analyses suggested a three-factor structure of CARE—social function, psychological well-being, and physiological needs—comprising of 14 items with high reliability (KR-20 = 0.830). Rasch analysis indicated good item performance, and correlations with SDS (r = 0.52) and DAST-10 (r = 0.66) demonstrated strong concurrent validity. A cut-off score of ≥ 4 showed 82.9 % sensitivity and 68.0 % specificity (DAST-10 > 5) and 75.8 % sensitivity and 63.2 % specificity (SDS > 4). High-scoring participants exhibited more substance-related traits.

Discussion

The findings indicate that the CARE demonstrates acceptable psychometric properties, encompassing social, psychological, and physiological dimensions. This simple screening tool could be used in community settings to identify gbMSM needing support or as a self-assessment tool in digital solutions.

(245 words)

查看原文本刊更多论文

发展的化学性评估转诊和评估（CARE）与初步心理测量属性：在社区设置转诊需求的筛选工具

化学性（chemsex）是指在性行为之前或过程中使用物质来增强或延长性体验，是同性恋、双性恋和其他男男性行为者（gbMSM）面临的一个重要公共卫生问题。为了解决缺乏量身定制的筛查工具的问题，本研究开发了Chemsex转诊和评估评估（CARE），以确定可能从专门护理中受益的gbMSM。方法对台湾地区近一年来从事化学性行为的gbmssm进行横断面在线调查。探索性因子分析和Rasch分析评估了18个二元CARE项目；Kuder-Richardson公式20 （KR-20）评估内部信度；药物依赖严重程度量表（SDS）和药物滥用筛选试验(DAST)-10确定了低分组和高分组比较药物相关特征的最佳截止值。结果通过对730名被试的数据分析，发现社会功能、心理健康和生理需求这3个要素构成了一个高信度（KR-20 = 0.830）的结构。Rasch分析显示项目表现良好，与SDS （r = 0.52）和DAST-10 （r = 0.66）的相关性显示出较强的并发效度。截止评分≥4时，敏感性为82.9%，特异性为68.0% (DAST-10 > 5)；敏感性为75.8%，特异性为63.2% （SDS > 4）。得分高的参与者表现出更多与物质相关的特征。研究结果表明，CARE表现出可接受的心理测量特性，包括社会、心理和生理维度。这个简单的筛选工具可以在社区环境中使用，以确定需要支持的gbMSM，或作为数字解决方案中的自我评估工具。(245字)

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来源期刊

Addictive behaviors 医学-药物滥用

CiteScore

8.40

自引率

4.50%

发文量

283

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： Addictive Behaviors is an international peer-reviewed journal publishing high quality human research on addictive behaviors and disorders since 1975. The journal accepts submissions of full-length papers and short communications on substance-related addictions such as the abuse of alcohol, drugs and nicotine, and behavioral addictions involving gambling and technology. We primarily publish behavioral and psychosocial research but our articles span the fields of psychology, sociology, psychiatry, epidemiology, social policy, medicine, pharmacology and neuroscience. While theoretical orientations are diverse, the emphasis of the journal is primarily empirical. That is, sound experimental design combined with valid, reliable assessment and evaluation procedures are a requisite for acceptance. However, innovative and empirically oriented case studies that might encourage new lines of inquiry are accepted as well. Studies that clearly contribute to current knowledge of etiology, prevention, social policy or treatment are given priority. Scholarly commentaries on topical issues, systematic reviews, and mini reviews are encouraged. We especially welcome multimedia papers that incorporate video or audio components to better display methodology or findings. Studies can also be submitted to Addictive Behaviors? companion title, the open access journal Addictive Behaviors Reports, which has a particular interest in ''non-traditional'', innovative and empirically-oriented research such as negative/null data papers, replication studies, case reports on novel treatments, and cross-cultural research.