Risks and Consequences Questionnaire (RCQ)

Abstract

The Risks and Consequences Questionnaire (RCQ) is a specialized psychometric index developed to quantify the incidence and severity of problems arising as a direct result of alcohol and marijuana use among incarcerated adolescent delinquents. The measure comprehensively assesses risky behaviors across multiple domains, including physical injury, sexual activity, driving offenses, interpersonal conflicts (family/peer), academic and employment issues, victimization, and suicide ideation. Designed to complement traditional structured clinical interviews, the RCQ serves as a valuable tool for researchers and clinicians in establishing accurate substance abuse diagnoses and evaluating the efficacy of intervention programs targeting juvenile offenders.

Keywords

Risks and Consequences Questionnaire, RCQ, adolescent delinquency, substance use, alcohol use, marijuana consequences, risky behavior, juvenile justice, incarceration, intervention outcome measure.

Authors

Stein, L.A.R., Lebeau, Rebecca, Clair, Mary, Rossi, Joseph S., Martin, Rose Marie, Golembeske, Charles.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the RCQ is to systematically measure the frequency with which specific high-risk behaviors and negative consequences occur in the lives of incarcerated youth, and critically, to link these events directly to the use of alcohol or marijuana. The assessment covers a broad spectrum of negative life events that are often exacerbated by substance impairment.

The scale provides quantifiable data on the correlation between substance use (alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs) and severe outcomes such as physical injury (e.g., fighting, accidents, burns), involvement in dangerous driving situations, unstable sexual activity, relationship breakdowns, and institutional failure (school or work problems). This detailed quantification supports precise clinical assessment and tracking of change over time, making it suitable as an intervention outcome measure.

Construct

The RCQ measures the construct of Substance-Related Negative Consequences, specifically focusing on the behavioral, social, psychological, and physical repercussions associated with alcohol and cannabis consumption among a high-risk population of juvenile offenders. It operationalizes this construct by cataloging the frequency of specific adverse events that occurred within the 12 months preceding the adolescent’s most recent incarceration.

The instrument captures not just general risky behavior, but the intersection of risk and substance involvement. Items are structured to distinguish between general occurrences of risky behavior and those instances where alcohol or marijuana was explicitly involved, thereby providing a clear index of substance-attributable harm across domains like aggression, victimization, self-harm (suicide ideation), and disregard for safety (driving).

Validity

The initial validation of the Risks and Consequences Questionnaire was documented in Stein et al. (2010). The study confirmed the measure’s appropriateness for use with its target demographic.

Crucially, validation was achieved utilizing a racially and ethnically diverse sample of youths, ensuring that the measure possesses adequate applicability across varied demographic groups within the juvenile justice system. The validation process affirmed the RCQ’s capacity to collect information about the psychological repercussions relevant for making accurate substance abuse diagnoses.

Reliability

Detailed psychometric characteristics, which include measures of internal consistency and reliability, are comprehensively reported in the primary key reference by Stein, L. A. R., et al. (2010). Researchers and practitioners should consult this source for specific reliability coefficients and scale properties.

Factor Analysis

Information regarding the specific factor structure or results of factor analysis for the Risks and Consequences Questionnaire is provided within the full psychometric reporting published in the 2010 article in Drug and Alcohol Dependence. The structure is designed to capture distinct dimensions of substance-related harm, typically reflecting areas such as physical injury, interpersonal conflict, and institutional failure.

Instrument

Test Type: Structured Interview Complement / Self-Report Questionnaire

Format: Frequency count of specific negative events, categorized by involvement of alcohol or marijuana.

Language Available: English (Primary publication language)

Population Group: Juvenile offenders / Adolescent delinquents

Age Group: Adolescents / Youth

Population Details: Youths who are currently incarcerated or recently released, often drawn from racially and ethnically diverse samples.

Test Methodology: Retrospective self-report focusing on events occurring in the 12 months prior to the most recent incarceration.

Keywords

Alcohol consequences, juvenile offenders, marijuana consequences, substance-related problems, risk assessment, psychopathology, validation study, Stein et al. (2010).

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not specified in source content.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not specified in source content.

Correspondence Address: Correspondence details for the lead author, L.A.R. Stein, are typically available through the primary publication in Drug and Alcohol Dependence (2010).

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Test Year: 2010 (Year of primary validation and publication).

Permissions and Fees: Researchers interested in using the RCQ should contact the lead author, L.A.R. Stein, or consult the publisher of the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence for information regarding usage permissions and any associated fees.

Reference’s

Stein, L. A. R., Lebeau, R., Clair, M., Rossi, J., Martin, R. & Golembeske, C. (2010). Validation of a measure to assess alcohol- and marijuana-related risks and consequences among incarcerated adolescents. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 109(1-3), 104-113. PMCID: PMC2875287.

Items of the Risks and Consequences Questionnaire (RCQ)

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

Risks and Consequences Questionnaire (RCQ)

• Subj. No.                              
• Date __________

In the last 12 months before this most recent incarceration, have you been involved in any of the following?  INTERVIEWER:  “Number of times alcohol or drugs were involved,” means teen was on alcohol or drugs at the time or was doing the activity in order to get alcohol or drugs to take.  In addition, it can refer to missing certain activities (e.g., school), because of aftereffects such as being ill.

• No. of times Happened        
• No. of times happened with alcohol involved                       
• No. of times happened with marijuana involved                            

1. Been injured when in a fight with someone.
2. Been cut. Been injured by falling.

3. Been injured when playing sports or doing a recreational activity (biking, rollerblading, etc.).

5. Been injured by a gun.

6. Nearly drowned.

7. Been burned by fire, chemicals, or hot liquid.

8. Been hit by a vehicle when walking.

9. Had intercourse with some one you did not know very well.

10. Had sexual intercourse with someone you knew.

11. Had sex without a condom or with an IV drug user.

12. Speeding, taking chances, or having accidents when driving.

13. Willingly rode in a car with someone who was driving dangerously.
14. Had an argument with family.
15. Had an argument with a friend.
16. Had an argument with some one you were dating.
17. Relationship ended.
18. Missed time from school(missed school, late, skipped class)
19. Got in trouble at school that led to detention or suspension.
20. Got bad grades.
21. Missed time from work (missed work altogether, late).
22. Got in trouble at work.
23. Was a victim of crime (attacked, hurt personally, something stolen, etc.).
24. Seriously considered suicide.
25. In the last 12 months before this most recent incarceration, how many times have you driven within an hour after having:

                1-2 drinks:             ________times

                3 or more drinks   ________times

                using marijuana  ________times

26. In the last 12 months before this most recent incarceration, how

       many times, have you ridden with a driver who had been:

                drinking:                                ________times

                using marijuana:                 ________times