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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2016, 18, 2 (pages: 41 - 48)

Test-Retest Reliability and Descriptive Analyses of the Modified Important People and Activities (MIPA) Interview

Zywiak W.H., Stout R.L., Braciszewski J.M., Wray T.B., and Longabaugh R.

Summary: Background: The Important People and Activities (IPA) instrument assesses network characteristics and social support for drinking and abstinence. The IPA has garnered widespread use in the alcohol treatment field. We modified the IPA to assess HIV status, drug of choice, and IV drug use among social network members. Further, we queried frequency of unprotected sex, between the participant and network members. Aim: Since this measure was modified, and the test-retest reliability of the IPA has only rarely been examined, we conducted a small substudy (n=26) to examine 1-week test-retest reliability of this measure. Methods: Participants were individuals in a day treatment program with an SUD and/or AUD diagnosis. Results: Drug of choice for the participants represented roughly equal thirds of heroin, cocaine, and alcohol. The sample was 62% female and 39% Latino/a. At pretest 198 persons were named on the MIPA (M=7.6 network members per subject). It was determined that 152 of the people were overlapping between the test and retest. Conclusions: Percent agreement, ICCs, and kappas for the items ranged from acceptable to excellent across the two time periods. Classification of network members as positive, negative, or neutral influences on sobriety also demonstrated good to excellent kappas.