Dataset Information

An application of moderated nonlinear factor analysis to develop a commensurate measure of alcohol problems across four alcohol treatment studies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Self-report measures of alcohol problems are commonly included in studies evaluating treatment and recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD), but no prior study has examined the replicability of the measurement of alcohol problems across studies with various measures and diverse samples. Further, it is unclear which items may be better indicators of alcohol problems for patient subgroups. In the present study, we integrated data from four large alcohol treatment studies to develop a commensurate measure of alcohol problems using moderated nonlinear factor analysis (MNLFA).

Methods

Data were from the COMBINE study, Project MATCH, the Relapse Replication and Extension Project (RREP), and the United Kingdom Alcohol Treatment Trial (UKATT), yielding a total sample size of 4414. MNLFA was carried out on the Drinker Inventory of Consequences (COMBINE, MATCH, RREP) and Alcohol Problems Questionnaire (UKATT).

Results

We successfully created a 78-item commensurate measure of alcohol problems and examined differential item functioning (DIF) by study membership, time, and socio-demographic characteristics. Sixty-two items demonstrated intercept DIF, suggesting differences in rates of item endorsement for clients with the same underlying levels of alcohol problems across patient subgroups. Six items demonstrated loading DIF, suggesting differences in the extent to which the items were indicative of alcohol problems across patient subgroups.

Conclusions

The self-reported measurement of alcohol problems replicates across measures and diverse samples. Items with DIF have clinical implications for the treatment of AUD. Finally, MNLFA scores can be used to test substantive research questions across these studies.

SUBMITTER: Richards DK

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8671250 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

An application of moderated nonlinear factor analysis to develop a commensurate measure of alcohol problems across four alcohol treatment studies.

Richards Dylan K DK Pearson Matthew R MR Hallgren Kevin A KA Heather Nick N Witkiewitz Katie K

Drug and alcohol dependence 20210924 Pt A

<h4>Background</h4>Self-report measures of alcohol problems are commonly included in studies evaluating treatment and recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD), but no prior study has examined the replicability of the measurement of alcohol problems across studies with various measures and diverse samples. Further, it is unclear which items may be better indicators of alcohol problems for patient subgroups. In the present study, we integrated data from four large alcohol treatment studies to deve ...[more]

PMID: 34628095

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Project description:Background and aimsPrevious twin research suggests relationship status can moderate underlying genetic liability towards alcohol misuse. This paper examined: (1) whether genome-wide polygenic scores (GPS) for alcohol consumption are associated with alcohol misuse; (2) whether these GPS are moderated by romantic relationships (gene-environment interaction; G × E) and (3) whether G × E results are consistent across sex.DesignLinear mixed-effects models were used to test associations between genome-wide polygenic scores, relationship status and alcohol use/misuse.SettingFinnish twins born between 1983 and 1987 identified through Finland's central population registry.ParticipantsAn intensively studied subset of Finnish Twin Study (FinnTwin12) during the young adult phase (aged 20-26 years). The analytical sample includes those with complete interview and genetic data (n = 1201).MeasurementsKey measurements included involvement in a romantic partnership, drinking frequency, intoxication frequency and DSM-IV alcohol dependence (AD) symptoms. Genome-wide polygenic scores (GPS) were created from available summary statistics from a large genome-wide association study (GWAS) of drinks per week.ResultsGPS predicted drinking frequency [b = 0.109; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.050, 0.168], intoxication frequency (b = 0.111; 95% CI = 0.054, 0.168) and AD symptoms (b = 0.123; 95% CI = 0.064, 0.182). Having a romantic relationship negatively influenced the association between GPS and drinking frequency (b = -0.105; 95% CI = -0.211, -0.001), intoxication frequency (b = -0.118; 95% CI = -0.220, -0.016) and AD symptoms (b = -0.119; 95% CI = -0.229, -0.009). There was a three-way interaction between sex, relationship status and GPS for intoxication frequency (b = 0.223; 95% CI = 0.013, 0.433), such that the reduced association between GPS and intoxication frequency for those in a relationship was only apparent in males. We found no evidence of three-way interactions for drinking frequency or AD symptoms.ConclusionsBeing in a romantic relationship reduced the association between genetic predisposition and drinking, high-risk drinking and alcohol problems. However, for high-risk drinking the protective effect was limited to males, mapping onto earlier findings suggesting that males benefit more from romantic partnerships.

Dataset Information

An application of moderated nonlinear factor analysis to develop a commensurate measure of alcohol problems across four alcohol treatment studies.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

An application of moderated nonlinear factor analysis to develop a commensurate measure of alcohol problems across four alcohol treatment studies.

Similar Datasets

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