The factor structure of the MacAndrew alcoholism scale.
This study attempted to replicate the factor structure of the MacAndrew alcoholism scale using a large sample of both male (n = 1563) and female (n = 293) alcoholics and employing several methodological changes not used in past studies. Male and female factor solutions were found to be highly similar. Following adjustments for mean item differences between males and females, the overall factor structure was examined and six factors were found which were similar to past studies. However, the factors accounted for only a small portion of the MacAndrew scale item variance, scales constructed from the factors had, at best, modest internal consistency reliabilities, and it was suggested that these scales are of limited clinical use. It was concluded that the scale appears to have an insufficient item pool for uncovering more than a few dimensions of personality and behavior among alcoholics.
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008950:MMPI; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012737:Sex Factors