Excessive drinking situations in German alcoholics: Replication of a three-factor model used for North Americans

Abstract

German alcoholics were examined for a profile of drinking situations which was found recently in North American alcoholics. A mixed sample of alcoholics ( N = 336) receiving in-patient rehabilitation treatment for alcoholism was administered a validated translation of the English version of Annis's Inventory of Drinking Situations (IDS). Analysis of the 100 items in the questionnaire, using principal component methods and varimax rotation, revealed the same three factorial scales seen in the previous study in North American alcoholics (Cannon et al. (1990) Addictive Behaviour 15, 265–269). Drinking was most likely to take place in situations (1) of negative states, (2) of positive states, and (3) where personal control was tested. Although there are large differences in the level and social acceptability of drinking between Central Europe and English-speaking countries, the present data confirm the cross-cultural validity of basic determinants of drinking.