Structure and correlates of alcohol dependence in clinical samples in the United States and Russia

Using items from the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, dimensionality of the alcohol dependence syndrome was assessed in clinical samples in the United States and Russia. In both groups, a single-factor model provided a high degree of goodness of fit thus demonstrating cross-cultural coherence of the construct. The item dealing with narrowing of the drinking repertoire is most disparate in each sample. Severity of alcohol consequences was moderately related to alcohol dependence in both samples. Demographic variables, however, correlated less with severity of consequences. After the effects of severity of dependence and demographics were removed, quantity/frequency of recent alcohol consumption did not contribute to severity of consequences. Country, however, remained a significant, but small, predictor of severity of alcohol consequences.