Rasch Analysis of Cannabis Use Disorder in an Adult Inpatient Sample

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders version 5 (DSM-5) defines cannabis use disorder as a polythetic unidimensional diagnosis (>2 symptoms from up to 11), but few studies have empirically evaluated the latent structure of CUD. Rasch analysis is a psychometric technique that has previously been used to validate unidimensional scales, like DSM-5 CUD.

In this study, the Rasch model was used to evaluate the DSM-5 CUD criteria in a clinical sample of adults receiving inpatient treatment for substance use disorder (n = 249) reporting active cannabis use at admission. The unidimensionality of the criteria was evaluated using the Martin-Löf test and the nonparametric -T₂ test of Ponocny. Model fit was assessed using the χ² goodness of fit test for individual items.

Results supported the unidimensional structure of the criteria. Symptom # 3 was the least endorsed, highest severity item. Conversely, symptom #9 was the most endorsed and had the lowest severity estimate. Overall, the data fit the Rasch model well, although misfit was observed for symptom # 8.

Rasch's analysis of CUD symptoms in an inpatient sample broadly supports the DSM-5 CUD syndrome. Further examination is needed to determine if removing or revising the hazardous use symptom criterion in future DSM revisions would improve diagnostic measurement.