The latent structure of alcohol use disorders: a taxometric analysis of structured interview data obtained from male federal prison inmates.
OBJECTIVE
Archival data from structured interviews of 1193 male prison inmates were subjected to taxometric analysis to determine the latent structure of the alcohol use disorder construct.


METHODS
Analyses were performed using three taxometric procedures: mean above minus below a cut (MAMBAC), maximum eigenvalue (MAXEIG), and latent mode factor analysis (L-Mode).


RESULTS
The outcomes were based on three indicators: (1) DSM-IV alcohol dependence criteria 1 and 2 (tolerance/withdrawal), (2) DSM-IV alcohol dependence criteria 3, 4, and 5 and DSM-IV alcohol abuse criterion 3 (loss of control), and (3) DSM-IV alcohol dependence criteria 6 and 7 and DSM-IV alcohol abuse criteria 1, 2, and 4 (negative social/psychological consequences). The outcomes revealed consistent support for a taxonic (categorical) interpretation of alcohol use disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
There may be a taxonic boundary separating those who do and do not qualify for a diagnosis of alcohol dependence or abuse with important implications for diagnosis and treatment.
Walters
Glenn D
GD
Psychology Services, Federal Correctional Institution, Schuylkill P.O. Box 700, Minersville, PA 17954-0700, USA. gwalters@bop.gov
D000328:Adult; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D035082:Federal Government; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States