Alcohol and Alcoholism Advance Access originally published online on July 28, 2007
Alcohol and Alcoholism 2007 42(6):582-587; doi:10.1093/alcalc/agm045
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The factor structure and concurrent validity of the alcohol use disorder identification test based on a nationally representative UK sample
Psychology Research Institute, University of Ulster, Northland Road, Londonderry, Northern Ireland BT48 7JL, UK
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed at: Psychology Research Institute, University of Ulster, Northland Road, Londonderry, BT48 7JL. Tel: +44 (0) 28 71 375619; E-mail: m.shevlin{at}ulster.ac.uk
Received 4 January 2007; first review notified 18 February 2007; in revised form 23 April 2007; accepted 24 April 2007
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Abstract |
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Aims: To assess the psychometric structure and construct validity of the alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT) in a Great Britain population sample. Methods: A stratified multi-stage random sample of 7849 participants completed the AUDIT as part of a computer assisted interview. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted testing one to three factor models. The factors in these models were correlated with demographic variables and scores relating to perceived wellbeing, verbal IQ, and neurotic and psychosis symptoms to assess construct validity of the factor solutions. Results: A two factor solution was deemed to appropriately fit the data, measuring alcohol consumption and alcohol related problems. Correlations between the two factors on demographic, wellbeing, neurosis and psychosis symptomology were significantly different. Conclusions: The two factor solution suggests an advantage to investigating factor specific cut off scores for both consumption and alcohol related problems given their difference in predictive validity on both health and demographic variables.