Diagnostic accuracy and factor structure of the AAS and APS scales of the MMPI-2

J Pers Assess. 2002 Dec;79(3):564-82. doi: 10.1207/S15327752JPA7903_10.

Abstract

Receiver operating characteristics analysis and sensitivity analysis were used to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the Addiction Acknowledgement Scale (AAS; Weed, Butcher, McKenna, & Ben-Porath, 1992) and Addiction Potential Scale (APS; Weed et al., 1992) of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (Butcher, Dahlstrom, Graham, Tellegen, & Kaemmer, 1989) to that of the MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale-Revised (Butcher et al, 1989), the CAGE (Mayfield, McLeod, & Hall, 1974), and Svanum's scale (Svanum & McGrew, 1995) in a sample of 338 university students. The AAS was the most accurate of these 5 scales at identifying current alcohol dependence (as measured by a structured diagnostic interview) and appears to offer considerable promise as an alcohol screening instrument. In contrast, the APS performed the most poorly of the 5 scales being evaluated, yielding results that would be of minimal clinical utility. Factor analysis yielded a 2-factor solution for the AAS (Acknowledgement of Alcohol/Drug Problems; Positive Alcohol Expectancies) and a 4-factor solution for the APS (Satisfaction with Self; Cynicism/Pessimism; Impulsivity; Risk-Taking).

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Alcoholism / diagnosis*
  • Alcoholism / ethnology
  • Alcoholism / psychology
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Female
  • Humans
  • MMPI*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Midwestern United States
  • ROC Curve
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Sex Factors