Dimensionality of alcohol dependence in young adulthood: Current versus lifetime symptomatology

Susan E O'NEILL; Kenneth J Sher; Kristina M Jackson; Phillip K Wood

doi:10.15288/jsa.2003.64.495

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Journal article

Dimensionality of alcohol dependence in young adulthood: Current versus lifetime symptomatology

Susan E O'NEILL, Kenneth J Sher, Kristina M Jackson and Phillip K Wood

Journal of studies on alcohol, Vol.64(4), pp.495-499

07/01/2003

DOI: 10.15288/jsa.2003.64.495

PMID: 12921191

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Abstract

Objective: The factor structure of alcohol dependence was investigated using exploratory factor analysis, specifically contrasting models of alcohol dependence based on lifetime symptom endorsement to models based on current (i.e., past-year) symptom endorsement. Method: Data from the 1989 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth were analyzed. DSM-IV alcohol dependence was assessed in this large community sample of current drinkers and lifetime drinkers, representative of both men and women, and ranging in age from 24 to 32. Sixteen items assessing the seven criteria of DSM-IV alcohol dependence were employed. Results: A single-factor model accounted for most of the observed relationships. However, evidence of additional dimensions, characterized by tolerance and impaired control symptoms, was also identified. Conclusions: Our findings do not support the historical tendency of distinguishing physiological (as indicated by tolerance or withdrawal symptoms) from nonphysiological dependence. Most importantly, factor solutions derived from items based on past-year symptom endorsement were consistent with those derived from items based on lifetime symptom endorsement in samples of both current drinkers and lifetime drinkers.

Biological and medical sciences

Medical sciences

Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry

Psychometrics. Diagnostic aid systems

Psychopathology. Psychiatry

Techniques and methods

Details

Title: Subtitle: Dimensionality of alcohol dependence in young adulthood: Current versus lifetime symptomatology
Creators: Susan E O'NEILL - University of Missouri
Kenneth J Sher - University of Missouri
Kristina M Jackson - University of Missouri
Phillip K Wood - University of Missouri
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of studies on alcohol, Vol.64(4), pp.495-499
Publisher: Rutgers University, Alcohol Research Documentation
DOI: 10.15288/jsa.2003.64.495
PMID: 12921191
ISSN: 0096-882X
eISSN: 1934-2683
Number of pages: 5
Language: English
Date published: 07/01/2003
Academic Unit: Psychological and Brain Sciences
Record Identifier: 9984719845602771

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