Item characteristics of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test

Items of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) were individually evaluated regarding disproportional responding. The item with the lowest degree of endorsement (Item 18, related to liver problems) was found to have correspondingly low relationships with other MAST items and with the total score. Weighted items concerned with drug-related arrests were found to detract from the otherwise relatively homogeneous MAST items. Traditional statistical approaches for homogeneity suggest high level internal consistency with the deletion of the aforementioned items. A factor analytic test of homogeneity was confirmed. Recommendations are presented concerning modification of the MAST scoring procedures.