An empirically based typology of alcohol users in a Hungarian community sample using latent class analysis

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Horváth, Z., Paksi, B., Felvinczi, K., Griffiths, M.D. ORCID: 0000-0001-8880-6524, Demetrovics, Z. and Urbán, R., 2019. An empirically based typology of alcohol users in a Hungarian community sample using latent class analysis. European Addiction Research, 25 (6), pp. 293-302. ISSN 1022-6877

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1159/000501516

Abstract

Background. Different classification models have been proposed to explain the heterogeneity of alcohol-related problems in general populations. Such models suggest quantitatively or qualitatively different symptom endorsement characteristics between subgroups of alcohol drinkers.

Objectives. The present study aimed to identify homogenous subgroups of drinkers in a general population sample in addition to examining the relationship between the subgroups and psychopathological symptoms.

Method. Data of past-year alcohol users (N=1520) were analyzed from the nationally representative sample of the National Survey on Addiction Problems in Hungary 2015 (NSAPH 2015). Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was conducted to identify subgroups of drinkers based on the dichotomous indicator items of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression and multiple comparisons were performed to explore the relationship between latent classes and socio-demographical variables and psychopathological symptoms.

Results. LCA suggested a three-class model: 'Light with low risk of dependence' (19.3%) and 'Alcohol drinkers with severe dependence symptoms' (9.1%). More severe subgroups showed significantly higher level of anxiety, depression, hostility, obsessive-compulsivity, interpersonal sensitivity, and psychiatric or AUD-related treatment involvement. Male gender, younger age, lower level of educational achievement, and earlier onset of the first alcoholic drink were associated with membership of more severe subgroups.

Conclusions. The present results indicated that severity-based subgroups of drinkers can be discriminated. Approximately 9% of the alcohol users showed severe symptoms of alcohol dependence. The present data also supported the association between more severe forms of alcohol consumption, and internalizing and externalizing characteristics.

Item Type:

Journal article

Alternative Title:

An empirically based typology of alcohol users in a community sample [short title]

Publication Title:

European Addiction Research

Creators:

Horváth, Z., Paksi, B., Felvinczi, K., Griffiths, M.D., Demetrovics, Z. and Urbán, R.

Publisher:

S Karger AG

Date:

November 2019