Evaluation of the Alcohol Craving Questionnaire-Now factor structures: application of a cue reactivity paradigm.
The current study compared the psychometric properties and clinical/research utility of four distinct factor/subscale models of alcohol craving (three factor-derived models, and one rationally derived model) as measured by the Alcohol Craving Questionnaire-Now in social (n=52) and alcohol dependent (n=71) drinkers. All participants completed a self-report measure of alcohol abuse in addition to engaging in a structured interview and cue reactivity protocol. Participants provided self-reported craving, as well as desire to approach or avoid drinking, during a cue exposure task using separate analog scales. Factor/subscale models were compared in terms of internal consistency, convergent and divergent validity, and ability to predict cue-elicited approach and craving in addition to diagnostic status. All models demonstrated high levels of internal consistency, convergent and divergent validity, and the ability to predict both cue-elicited craving and alcohol dependence status. Specific strengths and weaknesses of each model are examined and the theoretical, clinical, and research utility of the current findings are discussed.
The University of Mississippi Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.kconnol@gmail.com
Kevin M
KM
Connolly
Scott F
SF
Coffey
Joseph S
JS
Baschnagel
David J
DJ
Drobes
Michael E
ME
Saladin
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D003463:Cues; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D018579:Patient Selection; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires