The substance use risk profile scale: comparison of norms and outcomes for Australian and Korean adults

The Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS) has been constructed in order to predict substance abuse before it occurs; hence most studies using the SURPS have focussed on adolescents. We examined the SURPS in a Korean and an Australian adult population from each respective country, using a population sampling technique that accurately represented each country. The SURPS was presented as part of an internet survey on alcohol consumption patterns (N = 669), in English and Korean versions. The Korean version was constructed by translating the English version using an accredited technique. We replicated the four-factor structure of the SURPS. Australians scored lower than Koreans on all four sub-scales based on the factors. Australians also scored lower on the total SURPS, and there was a nationality by gender interaction. The total SURPS, but not the subscales, predicted weekly alcohol consumption regardless of nationality. Our results suggest that we have successfully translated the SURPS into Korean, a country that is receiving increasing attention for health research. The relatively high SURPS scores for the Korean sample, along with the increasing popularity of alcohol consumption in that country raises important concerns for social policy developers. The sampling technique utilised also allows the data to be used for normative purposes for future Australian and Korean research. We further suggest that the predictive value of the SURPS applies across a wider group than ‘Western’ adolescents.