Karina Conde

Escala de Motivos para Cesar/Reducir el Consumo de Alcohol: propiedades psicométricas

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar las propiedades psicometricas de una escala de motivos para cesar o reducir el consumo de alcohol en jovenes universitarios, en cuanto a dimensionalidad, nivel del item, consistencia interna y validez concurrente. Participaron del estudio 377 estudiantes de psicologia de la Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Mediante un cuestionario anonimo y confidencial, se indagaron motivos para cesar o reducir el consumo de alcohol con una escala de 20 items, desarrollados a partir de respuestas cualitativas. Se incluyeron como criterios de validez la cantidad habitual de alcohol consumida y una regla de motivacion al cambio. Se realizaron analisis factoriales exploratorios, confirmatorios, de confiabilidad y bivariados. Los analisis factoriales exploratorios y confirmatorios apuntaron a una estructura de tres dimensiones llamadas: rechazo del alcohol, salud y cambios vitales, y consecuencias severas del consumo de alcohol. Los coeficientes de confiabilidad fueron adecuados. Se encontraron relaciones entre las dos primeras dimensiones y la cantidad de alcohol consumida, y entre la motivacion al cambio y la dimension salud y cambios vitales. Se discute la diferencia entre motivos hipoteticos y reales para el cambio, y el rol de las consecuencias graves del consumo en grupos de mayor ingesta de alcohol.

Alcohol use disorders in Argentinian girls and women 12 months before delivery: comparison of DSM-IV, DSM-5, and ICD-10 diagnostic criteria

Background: The evidence of important problems related to prenatal alcohol exposure has faced researchers with the problem of understanding and screening alcohol use in this population. Although any alcohol use should be considered risky during pregnancy, identifying alcohol-drinking problems (ADPs) could be especially important because women with ADPs could not benefit from a simple advice of abstinence and because their offsprings are subjected to a higher risk of problems related with prenatal alcohol exposure. In this context, we aim to study the prevalence and characteristics of ADPs in pregnant women, evaluating the performance of different diagnostic systems in this population. Objectives: The aims of the study were to describe the prevalence of ADPs obtained with the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in its fourth (DSM-IV) and fifth edition (DSM-5), and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10, in Argentinean females aged 13 to 44 years, 12 months before delivery; to evaluate the level of agreement between these classification systems; and to analyze the performance of each diagnosis criterion in this population. Methods: Data were collected through personal interviews of a probability sample of puerperal women (N = 641) in the city of Santa Fe (Argentina), between October 2010 and February 2011. Diagnoses compatible with DSM-IV, DSM-5, and ICD-10 were obtained through the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Agreement among diagnostic systems was measured through Cohen kappa. Diagnosis criteria performance were analyzed considering their prevalence and discriminating ability (D value). Results: Total ADP prevalence was 6.4% for DSM-IV (4.2% abuse and 2.2% dependence), 8.1% for DSM-5 (6.4% mild, 0.8% moderate, and 0.9% severe alcohol use disorder), and 14.1% for the ICD-10 (11.9% harmful use and 2.2% dependence). DSM-5 modifications improved agreement between DSM and ICD. The least prevalent and worst discriminating ability diagnostic criterion was “legal problems.” The most prevalent and 1 of the best discriminating ability diagnostic criterion was ‘“health issues.” Conclusions: DSM-IV and ICD-10 dependence prevalence was similar to that of previous studies in pregnant women, whereas abuse prevalence was surprisingly higher. Our results indicate a better performance of the DSM-5 alcohol use disorder category relative to the DSM-IV dual categorization. Nevertheless, the poor diagnostic performance of some DSM-5 criteria in this population could evidence their intercultural variability.

Gender and Alcohol Use Disorders Diagnostic Criteria in Emergency Department Patients of Argentina

ABSTRACT Background: Alcohol consumption and its related consequences are not equal for women and men, although related studies do not frequently include gender analysis. Objective: Our aim was to characterize differences in endorsement of ICD-10 and DSM 5 alcohol use disorder (AUD) criteria by gender in an Argentinean emergency department population. Methods: A probability sample of patients (N = 923) from the largest emergency department in the city of Mar del Plata, Argentina (44% were females, aged 16 to 86, M (SD) = 37.31(15.20) was collected. Using a structured questionnaire, diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorders, alcohol consumption, and socio-demographic variables were obtained. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess differences in the endorsement of each diagnostic criterion by gender. Results: Women were less likely to endorse each of the criteria for each of the diagnostic schemes. Even after controlling alcohol consumption, socio-demographic variables, severity of alcohol use disorders and adjusting for multiple comparisons females had a lower probability than males of endorsing withdrawal and impaired control. Conclusions: gender differences in the endorsement of diagnostic criteria for both the DSM 5 and ICD-10 were found. Some differences in endorsement but not all, might be partially explained by alcohol consumption patterns and socio-demographic factors, and same remained after controlling severity of the AUD. Results also suggest a differential functioning of DSM 5 and ICD-10 AUD criteria for women and men.

Data quality in surveys on alcohol consumption among university students

Diferentes modalidades de encuesta han sido desarrolladas para medir el consumo de alcohol y los problemas relacionados. La investigacion sobre la calidad de los datos en distintas modalidades de encuesta es escasa en Latinoamerica. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la calidad de los datos sobre consumo de alcohol resultante de tres modalidades de encuesta: auto-administrada online, auto-administrada en papel y lapiz y entrevistas cara a cara. Los datos se obtuvieron de tres muestras probabilisticas (n = 60 cada una) de estudiantes de la Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Argentina, usando el mismo cuestionario. Para cada modalidad, la calidad de los datos se estimo con la tasa de respuesta global, tasa de respuesta al item y la precision. La precision fue evaluada con el porcentaje de consumo excesivo episodico, resultado positivo del AUDIT, y consistencia interna del AUDIT. Las tasas de respuesta global y al item fueron menores en la modalidad online, y similares en las restantes dos. No se encontraron diferencias en la precision de las respuestas entre las modalidades.Different survey modalities have been developed to assess alcohol consumption and related problems. Research that compares data quality between survey modalities is scarce in Latin America. The aim of this study was to assess data quality in three survey modalities on alcohol consumption: self-administered online, self-administered hard-copy, and face-to-face interviews. Data were obtained from three probabilistic samples of students (n = 60 each) from the National University of Mar del Plata, Argentina, using the same questionnaire. Data quality was measured for each modality by overall response rate, item response rate, and accuracy. Data accuracy was evaluated as the percentage of self-reported binge drinking, positive results on AUDIT, and internal consistency of AUDIT for each modality. The overall and item response rates were lower in the online modality and similar between the other two. No differences were found between modalities in the accuracy of responses.

Epidemiology of alcohol consumption and related problems in Latin American countries: Contributions of psychology

Alcohol consumption is the leading risk factor for morbi-mortality in many Latin American Countries. However, epidemiologic studies are relatively scarce. Among factors such as limited research capacity, disciplinary traditions and an emphasis on psychopathology within the field of psychology, have been postulated to account for this. The aim of this article is to review epidemiologic research on alcohol in Spanish Speaking Latin American Countries, and to measure the contribution of psychology to the field. A systematic search was performed in English and Spanish using regional and international data bases. We identified 269 articles. Most focused on consumption patterns in youth, with samples from a single school and using a variety of measures. With the exception of multinational efforts like Emergency Room Collaborative Alcohol Analysis Project or those supported by World Health Organization/Pan American Health Organization, studies reviewed reflected little cross country collaboration. Mexico accounted for most of the productivity, while many countries had very few or no articles. Most research was performed by health science researchers with a small contribution from psychology, but which increased significantly over time. The results of this review provide a broad identification of patterns regarding epidemiologic research on alcohol, and demonstrate the need for national scientific policies to promote research on public health topics.

Métodos indirectos para evaluar cogniciones implícitas hacia el alcohol: Una revisión conceptual

Resumen Since its emergence in the 70s, the Dual Process Model (DPM) has gained wide popularity in different fields of psychology, including the study of addictions. According to this model, there are two cognitive systems: one explicit, conscious and controllable; and another implicit, automatic and linked to intuition and affection. The DPM has been used to understand mechanisms underlying alcohol related behaviors, and quickly an exponential growth of research using implicit measures to evaluate alcohol related cognitions occurred. While these methods share some basic features, they differ in important aspects such as validity evidence available, administration procedures, etc. Therefore, in this paper we provide a comprehensive overview of the different ways to evaluate implicit alcohol related cognitions. We hope this review will be useful not only for researchers but also for professionals working in the clinical area with alcoholrelated problems.

Qualidade dos dados de pesquisas sobre o consumo de álcool em estudantes universitários

Diferentes modalidades de encuesta han sido desarrolladas para medir el consumo de alcohol y los problemas relacionados. La investigacion sobre la calidad de los datos en distintas modalidades de encuesta es escasa en Latinoamerica. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la calidad de los datos sobre consumo de alcohol resultante de tres modalidades de encuesta: auto-administrada online, auto-administrada en papel y lapiz y entrevistas cara a cara. Los datos se obtuvieron de tres muestras probabilisticas (n = 60 cada una) de estudiantes de la Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Argentina, usando el mismo cuestionario. Para cada modalidad, la calidad de los datos se estimo con la tasa de respuesta global, tasa de respuesta al item y la precision. La precision fue evaluada con el porcentaje de consumo excesivo episodico, resultado positivo del AUDIT, y consistencia interna del AUDIT. Las tasas de respuesta global y al item fueron menores en la modalidad online, y similares en las restantes dos. No se encontraron diferencias en la precision de las respuestas entre las modalidades.Different survey modalities have been developed to assess alcohol consumption and related problems. Research that compares data quality between survey modalities is scarce in Latin America. The aim of this study was to assess data quality in three survey modalities on alcohol consumption: self-administered online, self-administered hard-copy, and face-to-face interviews. Data were obtained from three probabilistic samples of students (n = 60 each) from the National University of Mar del Plata, Argentina, using the same questionnaire. Data quality was measured for each modality by overall response rate, item response rate, and accuracy. Data accuracy was evaluated as the percentage of self-reported binge drinking, positive results on AUDIT, and internal consistency of AUDIT for each modality. The overall and item response rates were lower in the online modality and similar between the other two. No differences were found between modalities in the accuracy of responses.

Calidad de los datos de encuestas sobre consumo de alcohol en estudiantes universitarios

Diferentes modalidades de encuesta han sido desarrolladas para medir el consumo de alcohol y los problemas relacionados. La investigacion sobre la calidad de los datos en distintas modalidades de encuesta es escasa en Latinoamerica. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la calidad de los datos sobre consumo de alcohol resultante de tres modalidades de encuesta: auto-administrada online, auto-administrada en papel y lapiz y entrevistas cara a cara. Los datos se obtuvieron de tres muestras probabilisticas (n = 60 cada una) de estudiantes de la Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Argentina, usando el mismo cuestionario. Para cada modalidad, la calidad de los datos se estimo con la tasa de respuesta global, tasa de respuesta al item y la precision. La precision fue evaluada con el porcentaje de consumo excesivo episodico, resultado positivo del AUDIT, y consistencia interna del AUDIT. Las tasas de respuesta global y al item fueron menores en la modalidad online, y similares en las restantes dos. No se encontraron diferencias en la precision de las respuestas entre las modalidades.Different survey modalities have been developed to assess alcohol consumption and related problems. Research that compares data quality between survey modalities is scarce in Latin America. The aim of this study was to assess data quality in three survey modalities on alcohol consumption: self-administered online, self-administered hard-copy, and face-to-face interviews. Data were obtained from three probabilistic samples of students (n = 60 each) from the National University of Mar del Plata, Argentina, using the same questionnaire. Data quality was measured for each modality by overall response rate, item response rate, and accuracy. Data accuracy was evaluated as the percentage of self-reported binge drinking, positive results on AUDIT, and internal consistency of AUDIT for each modality. The overall and item response rates were lower in the online modality and similar between the other two. No differences were found between modalities in the accuracy of responses.