Unidimensionality of alcohol dependence syndrome

To evaluate the coherence of Alcohol Dependence Syndrome (ADS) as defined by DSM III-R criteria, 482 males were diagnosed as having ADS from a representative general population survey. Nine DSM III-R criteria were factor analyzed to assess unidimensionality. Unlike our earlier report on the same issue, a single-factor model, rather than a two-factor model, supports the coherence of the dependence syndrome explaining the relationship among the nine criteria for community data. When combining criteria into cumulative scales, they formed good approximation of Guttman scales and further supported unidimensionality. Withdrawal and withdrawal avoidance had maximum loading (0.9) and thus can be considered as highly central criteria in defining the syndrome, while preoccupation measured the most severe level of dependence (z = 0.21).