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ACDI-CORRECTIONS VERSION II | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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SCALE INTERPRETATION 1. Truthfulness Scale: Measures how truthful the juvenile was while completing the test. It identifies guarded and defensive youths who attempt to fake good. Scores at or below the 89th percentile mean that all ACDI-Corrections Version II (Version II) scales are accurate. Scores in the 70th to 89th percentile are accurate because they have been Truth-Corrected. Truthfulness Scale scores at or above the 90th percentile mean that all Version II scales are inaccurate (invalid) because the juvenile was overly guarded and manifesting denial, read things into Version II test items that aren’t there, was minimizing problems, or was caught faking answers. Youths with a reading impairment might also invalidate their tests with Truthfulness Scale scores in the Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) range. The reason for invalidation can usually be determined with a few questions regarding the juvenile’s schooling, reading ability and motivation. If not consciously deceptive, youths with elevated Truthfulness Scale scores are uncooperative, fail to understand test items or have a need to appear in a good light. Truthfulness Scale scores at or below the 89th percentile indicate that all other scale scores are accurate. When reviewing a Version II report, one of the first things to check is the Truthfulness Scale score. A Truthfulness Scale score at or above the 90th percentile does not occur by chance. 2. Violence (Lethality) Scale: Measures the juvenile’s propensity for using force to injure, damage or destroy. This scale identifies youths that are a danger to themselves and others. Violence is operationally defined as the expression of hostility and rage through physical force. Violence is aggression in its most extreme and unacceptable form. Elevated scorers are demanding, overly sensitive to perceived criticism and insightless about how they express their anger/hostility. They often have poor school records and feel emotionally isolated.Severe problem scorers are typically erratic, angry, easily provoked and dangerous. A particularly unstable and perilous situation exists when the youth manifests an elevated Violence Scale score in conjunction with an elevated Alcohol Scale and/or Drugs Scale score. Here, we have increased probability of acting out behaviors combined with impaired judgment. In combination with an elevated Violence Scale, an elevated Distress Scale score increases the probability of suicidal ideation. Elevated Adjustment Scale and/or Stress Coping Abilities Scale scores in conjunction with an elevated Violence Scale score provide insight regarding co-determinants and possible treatment alternatives. The more of these scales that are elevated with the Violence Scale, the worse the prognosis. Elevated scale interrelationships are important when interpreting scale elevations. Any scale scores in the Severe Problem range should not be ignored, and this is especially true of the Violence Scale. The Violence Scale score can be interpreted independently or in combination with other Version II scales. 3. Alcohol Scale: Measures alcohol use and/or abuse. "Alcohol" refers to beer, wine and other liquors. An elevated (70th to 89th percentile) Alcohol Scale is indicative of an emerging drinking problem. An Alcohol Scale score in the Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) range identifies serious alcohol-related problems.A history of alcohol-related arrests could result in an Alcohol Scale score in the Low or Medium Risk range. To determine if the juvenile is a "recovering" alcoholic, Version II users should check items #57 (admission to drinking problem), #131 (self-description of drinking) and #133 (the "recovery" question). For reference, other items also could be checked (e.g., #15, 21, 33, 39, 51, 96, 132). Admissions to these items are printed on page 3 of the Version II report. In conjunction with an elevated Alcohol Scale, an elevated Violence Scale represents a dangerous combination, e.g., a violent predisposition with impaired judgment. When both the Alcohol and Drugs Scales are elevated, the highest score usually represents the juvenile’s substance of choice. When both are in the Severe Problem range, explore polysubstance abuse. An elevated Distress Scale with an elevated Alcohol Scale could reflect emerging suicidal ideation or a frustration - aggressive explosive acting out. A higher Alcohol Scale score may be a focal issue; whereas, a higher Distress Scale might be indicative of a troubled youth’s attempt to "self-medicate." An elevated Adjustment Scale in combination with an elevated Alcohol Scale helps identify co-determinants. The amplitude of an elevated Stress Coping Abilities Scale score and an elevated Alcohol Scale score are important. An elevated (70th to 89th percentile) Stress Coping Abilities Scale score reflects impaired stress handling abilities, and drinking may be of an "escape-avoidance" nature; whereas, a score in the Severe Problem range suggests the presence of an identifiable (diagnosable) mental health disorder. In the latter case drinking may be part of the psychopathology. In summary, the Alcohol Scale can be interpreted independently or in combination with other ACDI-Corrections Version II scales. 4. Drugs Scale: Measures illicit drug use and abuse. The Drugs Scale measures the severity of drug abuse. "Drugs" refers to marijuana, crack, cocaine, ice, LSD, amphetamines, barbiturates and heroin. This scale is independent of the Alcohol Scale described above. An elevated (70th to 89th percentile) Drugs Scale score is indicative of an emerging drug problem. Elevated Drugs Scale scores do not happen by chance. A Drugs Scale score in the Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) range identifies severe drug-related problems.A history of drug arrests could result in a Drugs Scale score in the low or moderate risk range. To determine if the juvenile is a "recovering" drug abuser, Version II users should check items #29 (drug use admission), #78 (drug abuse problem) and #133 (the "recovery" question). For reference, other items could also be checked (e.g., #23, 85, 53, 91). Admissions to these items are printed on page 3 of the Version II report. In intervention and treatment settings, the youth’s Drugs Scale score helps work through denial. And, an elevated Drugs Scale score in conjunction with other elevated Version II scores magnifies the severity of the other elevated scores. For example, an elevated Violence Scale in conjunction with an elevated Drugs Scale score identifies a very dangerous person. When both the Drugs and Alcohol Scales are elevated, the higher score represents the youth’s substance of choice. When both of these scores are in the Severe Problem range, polysubstance abuse is indicated. An elevated Distress Scale in combination with an elevated Drugs Scale reflects a troubled youth on the verge of being overwhelmed. The height of the Distress Scale is important as scores in the Severe Problem range can be indicative of suicidal/homicidal ideation. As noted earlier with alcohol, an elevated Adjustment Scale in combination with an elevated Drugs Scale helps identify co-determinants. And, the height of an elevated Stress Coping Abilities Scale and an elevated Drugs Scale score are important. An elevated Stress Coping Abilities Scale score reflects impaired stress coping abilities and drug use may be experimental; whereas, a score in the Severe Problem range points to an identifiable (diagnosable) mental health disorder. In this case (Severe Problem), drug use/abuse is likely a part of the symptomatology. In summary, the Drugs Scale can be interpreted independently or in combination with other ACDI-Corrections Version II scales. In most cases, a drug problem (elevated scale score) magnifies the risk associated with other elevated Version II scale scores. 5. Distress Scale: Measures the youth’s pain, suffering, anxiety and depression. Distress incorporates unhappiness, dissatisfaction, worry and pain. Distress is the most common reason for juveniles to voluntarily seek counseling. Distress has broad applications in adjustment, intervention, counseling and outcome. And, it often serves as the beginning point in clinical inquiry. The magnitude (or severity) of the Distress Scale is important. Elevated scores indicate some-thing is wrong. The youth is concerned, bothered and upset. Distress Scale scores in the Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) range indicate the youth is hurting, on the verge of being overwhelmed and is becoming desperate.A Severe Problem Distress Scale in conjunction with any other Version II scale in the Severe Problem range is a malignant sign and needs to be dealt with carefully. This is the profile of a suicidal/homicidal prone individual. The Distress Scale can be interpreted independently or in combination with other ACDI-Corrections Version II scales. 6. Adjustment Scale: Measures the youth’s ability to adapt, conform and function. This scale recognizes personal and social stressors at home, school and in one’s peer group relationships. Juvenile adjustment requires modification of the youth’s attitudes and behavior. Stressors vary widely from the home and school environment (along with anxiety, frustration and competition) to a myriad of emotion provoking events. When the Adjustment Scale is elevated, carefully review other Version II scales. Other Version II scales include Violence, Substance Abuse, Distress and Stress Coping Abilities.An elevated Adjustment Scale suggests one level of intervention (e.g., lifestyle adjustment); whereas, a score in the Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) range suggests other more fundamental intervention options. An elevated Distress Scale score with an elevated Adjustment Scale score is suggestive of poor emotional morale in a problem prone environmental milieu, e.g., school, home and/or peer group. An elevated Adjustment Scale in combination with an elevated Stress Coping Abilities Scale reflects a troubled youth who doesn’t cope well with his environment. In this case, the youth might benefit most from stress management training, emotional support of endeavor and lifestyle adjustment. The Adjustment Scale can be interpreted independently or in combination with other ACDI-Corrections Version II scales. 7. Stress Coping Abilities Scale: Measures the youth’s ability to cope with stress, anxiety and pressure. It is now accepted that stress exacerbates symptoms of mental and emotional problems. Thus, an elevated Stress Coping Abilities Scale score in conjunction with other elevated Version II scales helps explain the youth’s situation. When a juvenile doesn’t handle stress well, other existing problems are often exacerbated. Such problem augmentation applies to substance abuse, behavioral acting-out and attitudinal problems. And, an elevated Stress Coping Abilities Scale score can also exacerbate emotional and mental health symptomatology. When a Stress Coping Abilities Scale score is in the Severe Problem (90th to 100th percentile) range, it is very likely that the juvenile has a diagnosable mental health problem. In these instances, referral to a certified/licensed mental health professional is warranted for a diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan. The Stress Coping Abilities Scale can be interpreted independently or in combination with other ACDI-Corrections Version II scales.* * * * * In conclusion, it was noted that there are several "levels" of ACDI-Corrections Version II interpretation ranging from viewing Version II as a self-report to interpreting scale elevations and interrelationships. Scale scores can be interpreted individually. Staff can then put Version II findings within the context of the juvenile’s life situation.
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