Monitoring the Future Survey – Lifetime Use Scale (MTF-LUS)
Measures the lifetime prevalence and frequency of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Monitoring the Future Survey – Lifetime Use Scale (MTF-LUS) was developed by Lloyd D. Johnston, Patrick M. O’Malley, Jerald G. Bachman (2001). It is designed to measure Lifetime Substance Use. The scale is intended for use with Adolescents and adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 10 items organized into 3 factors/subscales: Tobacco Use, Alcohol Use, Drug Use.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Tobacco Use | 1,2 | 2 |
| Alcohol Use | 3,4,5 | 3 |
| Drug Use | 6,7,8,9,10 | 5 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = 0 occasions, 2 = 1-2 occasions, 3 = 3-5 occasions, 4 = 6-9 occasions, 5 = 10-19 occasions, 6 = 20-39 occasions, 7 = 40 or more occasions.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.