THE FACTOR STRUCTURE OF THE DSM-III-R AND ICD-10 CONCEPTS OF ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE*

The factor structure of the concept of alcohol dependence as proposed in two psychiatric classifications, the DSM-III-R and the ICD-10 are described to provide some empirical base for how future changes should be made.

Abstract

This paper describes the factor structure of the concept of alcohol dependence as proposed in two psychiatric classifications, the DSM-III-R and the ICD-10. Subjects are 219 men and 162 women who were interviewed while in treatment for alcohol-related problems in nine different treatment programs in Contra Costa county, California. Tests of hypotheses supporting a single factor and a dual factor structure of dependence were rejected by confirmatory factor analysis. Results from exploratory factor analysis show a four factor structure for the concept of dependence in DSM-III-R. For ICD-10 there is a four factor solution among men and a three factor solution among women. The item composition of these factors vary by gender and across the two classifications. However, there is good agreement between dependence as measured by DSM-III-R and ICD-10 criteria. Since work on DSM-IV is now under way, the present research aims to provide some empirical base for how future changes should be made.