Skip to main content
Article
Examining Factorial Structure and Measurement Invariance of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI)-18 among Drug Users
Addictive Behaviors
  • Jichuan Wang, Wright State University - Main Campus
  • Brian C. Kelly
  • Brenda M. Booth
  • Russel S. Falck, Wright State University - Main Campus
  • Carl G. Leukefeld
  • Robert G. Carlson, Wright State University - Main Campus
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2010
Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the factorial structure of the Brief Symptom Inventory 18 (BSI-18) and test its measurement invariance among different drug using populations. A total sample of 710 drug users was recruited using respondent-drive sampling (RDS) from three states: Ohio (n = 248), Arkansas (n = 237), and Kentucky (n = 225). The results of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) show: 1) the BSI-18 has a three-factor structure (somatization, depression, and anxiety) with an underlying second-order factor (global severity index of distress); and 2) its factorial structure and metric (factor loadings) are invariant across populations under study. However, the scalars (intercepts) of the BSI-18 items are not invariant, and the means of the latent factors also varied across populations. Our findings provide evidence of a valid factorial structure of the BSI-18 that can be readily applied to studying drug using populations.

DOI
10.1016/j.addbeh.2009.08.003
Citation Information
Jichuan Wang, Brian C. Kelly, Brenda M. Booth, Russel S. Falck, et al.. "Examining Factorial Structure and Measurement Invariance of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI)-18 among Drug Users" Addictive Behaviors Vol. 35 Iss. 1 (2010) p. 23 - 29 ISSN: 03064603
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/robert_carlson/57/