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Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
The present study examined the psychometric characteristics of the Neonatal Abstinence Scoring System (NASS; "Finnegan Scale") and the MOTHER NAS Scale (MNS).
METHODS:
Secondary analysis of data from 131 neonates from the Maternal Opioid Treatment: Human Experimental Research (MOTHER) study, a randomized trial in opioid-dependent pregnant women administered buprenorphine or methadone.
RESULTS:
Both the NASS and MNS demonstrated poor psychometric properties, with internal consistency (Cronbach's as) failing to exceed .62 at first administration, peak NAS score, and NAS treatment initiation.
CONCLUSIONS:
Findings support the need for development of a NAS measure based on sound psychometric principles.
SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE:
This study found that two frequently used measures of neonatal abstinence syndrome suffer inadequacies in regard to their basic measurement characteristics. (Am J Addict 2016;25:370-373).
External Link
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Psychometric+assessment+of+the+Neonatal+Abstinence+Scording+System+and+the+MOTHER+NAS+Scale
Related Topics
- Behavioral Health
- Child Welfare
- Children 0-5
- Medical Care