Age and sex differences in the responses of alcoholics to the Self‐Administered Alcoholism Screening Test

Abstract

The Self-Administered Alcoholism Screening Test (SAAST) was completed by 583 inpatients (437 men; 146 women) who were undergoing evaluation and treatment for alcoholism. Endorsement frequencies were computed separately for men and women, and a principal components analysis was performed on the item intercorrelation matrix. Six components (or factors) were retained for interpretation. Men were significantly more likely to engage in occupationally and socially disruptive behaviors (component II) and to elicit concern on the part of others (component V). Women were significantly more likely to admit to loss of control (component I), to experience emotional consequences and request help (component IV), and to report alcohol problems in their families (component VI). Younger alcoholics were more likely to admit to a loss of control, to have occupational and social disruption, to experience emotional consequences and request help, and to obtain higher total scores on the SAAST. Older alcoholics were more likely to report physical consequences of drinking (component III). Twenty-two alcoholics who scored in the nonalcoholic range (6 or below) were likely to be initially resistant and unaccepting of treatment.