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The Alcohol Dependence Scale: a validation study among inpatient alcoholics
D R Kivlahan1, K J Sher, D M Donovan
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle.
Journal of Studies on Alcohol
|March 1, 1989
Summary
The Alcohol Dependence Scale (ADS) shows fair concurrent validity in hospitalized alcoholics but has limited predictive power for treatment outcomes. Further research is needed to enhance its predictive utility for this population.
Area of Science:
- Addiction Medicine
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychometrics
Background:
- The Alcohol Dependence Scale (ADS) is used to measure alcohol dependence severity.
- Previous studies reported good psychometric properties and correlations with various criteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the concurrent and predictive validity of the ADS in a sample of hospitalized alcoholics.
- To compare findings with previous research on outpatient samples.
Main Methods:
- Administered the ADS to hospitalized alcoholics.
- Correlated ADS scores with measures of cognitive functioning, psychiatric and physical symptoms.
- Assessed prediction of treatment attrition, alcohol consumption, and aftercare involvement over 9-month follow-up.
Main Results:
- Hospitalized alcoholics had significantly lower ADS scores than previously reported.
- ADS scores showed modest correlations with concurrent measures and a weak association with relapse.
- ADS scores did not significantly predict treatment attrition, alcohol consumption, or aftercare duration.
Conclusions:
- The ADS demonstrates fair concurrent validity in hospitalized alcoholics.
- The ADS has limited predictive utility for treatment outcomes in this inpatient population.
- Further refinement of the ADS may be necessary for enhanced predictive accuracy in inpatient settings.