A Psychometric Evaluation of the Approach and Avoidance of Alcohol Questionnaire (AAAQ) in Alcohol Dependent Outpatients

• Published in: Journal of psychopathology and behavioral assessment 2007-12, Vol.29 (4), p.231-240
• Main Authors: Klein, Audrey A, Stasiewicz, Paul R, Koutsky, James R, Bradizza, Clara M, Coffey, Scott F
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alcohol consumption; Alcohol dependence; Approach-Avoidance; Discriminant analysis; Factor analysis; Questionnaires; Studies
• ISSN: 0882-2689; 1573-3505
• DOI: 10.1007/s10862-007-9044-2

The Approach and Avoidance of Alcohol Questionnaire (AAAQ; McEvoy et al. in Addiction 99:482-497, 2004) was administered to a clinical sample of 138 alcohol dependent men and women. An exploratory factor analysis was used to determine the AAAQ factor structure and a confirmatory analysis run on a second administration of the AAAQ. Convergent validity was examined by conducting an alcohol cue reactivity test and by administering the Timeline Follow-Back (TLFB), a retrospective calendar method for assessing alcohol consumption, and several measures of alcohol-related problems. The factor analysis supported a two-factor solution representing approach and avoidance dimensions. Regressions predicting measures of alcohol cue reactivity, alcohol consumption, and other alcohol-related constructs with the AAAQ provide support for its convergent validity. The results suggest that alcohol craving may be viewed as a multi-dimensional construct that includes both approach and avoidance inclinations which may vary depending on the population under examination.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]