A multivariate evaluation of the MAST.

Abstract

A self-administered format of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) was completed by 418 inpatient alcoholics; half of the responses were used to examine internal properties of the MAST and half to determine external correlates. The 2 groups did not differ significantly in sex (164 and 160 were men) or age (mean, 33.9 and 34.3). Internal consistency reliability estimates were 0.90 for the regular scoring, 0.93 for a simpler unit weighting strategy, and 0.99 for both. An item analysis revealed that all items except 1 (concerning liver trouble) contributed significantly to the total MAST score. Five factors were identified among the items: recognition of alcohol problem by self and others; legal, work and social problems; help seeking; marital-family difficulties; and liver pathology. The MAST scores were only moderately correlated with social desirability (0.32) and were not significantly correlated with response styles of denial or carelessness. The interpretation of MAST scores as a continuum of severity of alcoholic involvement was stressed, as opposed to using it to make a discrete diagnosis of alcoholism.