Assessing health risk behaviors among adolescents: The effect of question wording and appeals for honesty

摘要: Abstract Purpose To understand how methodological factors influence prevalence estimates of health-risk behaviors obtained from surveys, we examined the effect varying question wording and honesty appeals while holding other aspects surveys constant. Methods A convenience sample students (n = 4140) in grades 9 through 12 was randomly assigned to complete one six versions a paper-and-pencil questionnaire classrooms. Each version represented different combination appeal (standard vs. strong) type. The types varied number questions assessing particular behaviors. questionnaires were based on those used three national surveys—the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, Monitoring Future, National Household Survey Drug Abuse. Logistic regression analyses responses each survey behavior associated with type, appeal, interaction two variables. Results Among 32 across types, showed significant 45 identical five main all 77 behaviors, for between Conclusions When population, setting, context, mode administration, data-editing protocols are held constant, differences can create statistically some estimates. Varying does not have an