TY - JOUR
T1 - Comparison of three models of alcohol craving in young adults: a cross-validation
AU - Mcevoy, Peter
AU - Stritzke, Werner
AU - French, Davina
AU - Lang, A.R.
AU - Ketterman, R.
PY - 2004
Y1 - 2004
N2 - Aims The aim of study 1. was to develop a three-factor Approach and Avoidance of Alcohol Questionnaire (AAAQ), designed to assess mild and intense inclinations to drink, as well as inclinations to avoid drinking. The aims of study 2 were to cross-validate the AAAQ with an independent sample and to test the goodness-of-fit of three models of craving for alcohol: (a) the traditional unidimensional model; (b) a two-dimensional, approach-avoidance ambivalence model; and (c) an expanded two-dimensional neuroanatomical model that retains avoidance, while positing a threshold that partitions approach into two distinct levels and relates all three factors involved in craving to brain pathways associated with inhibitory processes, reward and obsessive-compulsive behaviour, respectively.Design, setting and participants The survey was administered to 589 Australian university students (69% women) in study 1 and to 523 American university students (64% women) in study 2.Measurements Inclinations to drink and to not drink (AAAO), drinking behaviour (quantity and frequency), drinking problems (Young Adult Alcohol Problems Screening Test; YAAPST) and readiness for change (Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale; SOCRATES).Findings The expanded two-dimensional neuroanatomical model provided the best fit to the data. The AAAO explained a substantial proportion of the variance in drinking frequency (41-53%), drinking quantity (49-60%) and drinking problems (43%). AAAO profiles differed as a function of drinking-related risk, and the three AAAO scales differentially predicted readiness for change.Conclusions Approach and avoidance inclinations toward alcohol are separable constructs, and their activation may not be invariably reciprocal. Craving can be defined as the relative activation of substance-related response inclinations along these two primary dimensions. There may be a threshold of intensity that separates mild from intense approach inclinations.
AB - Aims The aim of study 1. was to develop a three-factor Approach and Avoidance of Alcohol Questionnaire (AAAQ), designed to assess mild and intense inclinations to drink, as well as inclinations to avoid drinking. The aims of study 2 were to cross-validate the AAAQ with an independent sample and to test the goodness-of-fit of three models of craving for alcohol: (a) the traditional unidimensional model; (b) a two-dimensional, approach-avoidance ambivalence model; and (c) an expanded two-dimensional neuroanatomical model that retains avoidance, while positing a threshold that partitions approach into two distinct levels and relates all three factors involved in craving to brain pathways associated with inhibitory processes, reward and obsessive-compulsive behaviour, respectively.Design, setting and participants The survey was administered to 589 Australian university students (69% women) in study 1 and to 523 American university students (64% women) in study 2.Measurements Inclinations to drink and to not drink (AAAO), drinking behaviour (quantity and frequency), drinking problems (Young Adult Alcohol Problems Screening Test; YAAPST) and readiness for change (Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale; SOCRATES).Findings The expanded two-dimensional neuroanatomical model provided the best fit to the data. The AAAO explained a substantial proportion of the variance in drinking frequency (41-53%), drinking quantity (49-60%) and drinking problems (43%). AAAO profiles differed as a function of drinking-related risk, and the three AAAO scales differentially predicted readiness for change.Conclusions Approach and avoidance inclinations toward alcohol are separable constructs, and their activation may not be invariably reciprocal. Craving can be defined as the relative activation of substance-related response inclinations along these two primary dimensions. There may be a threshold of intensity that separates mild from intense approach inclinations.
U2 - 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2004.00714.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2004.00714.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 15049748
SN - 0965-2140
VL - 99
SP - 482
EP - 497
JO - Addiction
JF - Addiction
IS - 4
ER -
