IngentaConnect The development and initial validation of a questionnaire to meas...

Authors: James, Darren; Davies, Gareth¹; Willner, Paul²

Source: Addiction, Volume 99, Number 9, September 2004 , pp. 1181-1188(8)

Abstract:

Aim

To develop and initially validate a multi-dimensional questionnaire to measure cravings for amphetamine (speed). Design, setting and participants

The design of the Desires for Speed Questionnaire (DSQ) was based on the Desires for Alcohol Questionnaire and was administered to 174 amphetamine users. Exploratory factor analyses were carried out on the data and relationships between questionnaire score and other variables were assessed. Further analyses were carried out to assess the sensitivity of the factor scores of the DSQ to various methods of amphetamine ingestion. Findings

Factor analysis revealed that a four-factor solution best described the data and that each of these factors were differentially sensitive to methods of amphetamine ingestion, with greater craving on all measures in intravenous amphetamine users. The factor structure identified from the present analysis was almost identical to that identified in recreational drinkers by Love et al. (1998). Conclusions

The results validate and extend the findings of the work of Love et al. (1998) and provide support for a multifactorial account of amphetamine craving.

Keywords: Amphetamine; craving; multidimensional; positive/negative reinforcement; psychometric instruments; withdrawal

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2004.00819.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Psychology Education and Careers, HLaSS, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd 2: Department of Psychology, University of Wales Swansea, Swansea, UK

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The development and initial validation of a questionnaire to measure craving for amphetamine