Collecting sensitive self-report data with laptop computers: Impact on theresponse tendencies of adolescents in a home interview

This research explored the effects of computerized, self-administered, data collection techniques in research on adolescents' self-reported substance use and psychological well-being. Adolescents recruited through a national probability sample of urban and suburban areas were randomly assigned to ei ther a computerized, self-administered questionnaire or to a computer-plus- paper questionnaire format. Outcome measures included indicators of psychol ogical well-being (depression, irritability, self-esteem self efficacy), ci garette smoking, alcohol use and drunkenness, and the use of marijuana and other illicit drugs. Adolescents who completed the sensitive questions on a laptop computer reported higher levels of substance use and indicated high er levels of depression and irritability. Mode of interview effects did not vary by respondents' gender, age, race-ethnicity, or family income. Adoles cents in the computer self-interview mode perceived more response anonymity during the interview and had a more favorable attitude toward computerized data collection than those who completed paper-and-pencil forms.