The Measurement of Wisdom and Its Relationship to Adolescent Substance Use and Problem Behaviors

Abstract

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to create an Adolescent Wisdom Scale, based on Jason et al.'s (in press) Functional Value Scale. The Adolescent Wisdom Scale is a self-rating of 23 attributes that have been shown to be associated with people who are perceived to have wisdom. The sample of 2,027 high school seniors, from 20 school districts in northeastern Minnesota, was administered a survey in spring 1998, as part of an ongoing alcohol use prevention program. The scale was found to have high internal consistency and three subscales which were significantly associated with less involvement with alcohol use, cigarette use, and violent behaviors. KEYWORDS: Wisdomadolescentsspiritualitysubstance useviolencepsychometrics