Construct validity of the MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale.

Abstract

This research further establishes the construct validity of the MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale (MAC) by determining- the personality dimensions assessed by the scale. Subjects were 161 male and 228 female psychiatric patients divided by sex into alcoholic, antisocial psychiatric, and general psychiatric groups. To investigate the sensitivity of the MAC to antisociality , analyses of variance of MAC scores were computed for the three patient groups for each sex. To investigate personality dimensions and self-descriptions associated with elevated MAC scores, patients' MAC scores were intercorrelated with other scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. An investigation of the discrete personality dimensions assessed by the MAC items was accomplished by factor analyzing the scale. Results indicated that the MAC is composed of six major factors. The MAC was found to be sensitive to impulsivity, high energy levels, interpersonal shallowness, and general psychological maladjustment, but was not found to be sensitive to a general dimension of antisociality . Further research is required to investigate the diagnostic utility of the factor scales of the MAC.