Psychometric validation of the Leeds Dependence Questionnaire (LDQ) in a young adult clinical sample
Open accessAbstract
Objective Measures of substance dependence severity that are both clinically efficient and sensitive to change can facilitate assessment of clinical innovation necessary for improving current evidence-based practices. The Leeds Dependence Questionnaire (LDQ) is a 10-item, continuous, self-report measure of dependence that is not specific to any particular substance and has shown promise in preliminary psychometric research. The present study investigates its psychometric properties in a large clinical sample of young adults.Method Young adults (N=300) were enrolled in a naturalistic treatment process and outcome study of residential substance dependence treatment (mean age 20.4 [1.6], range 18-25; 27% female; 95% White). Dependence severity by demographic and diagnostic groupings, factor structure and internal consistency, and criterion- and construct-related validity were examined.Results Dependence severity in this cohort of youth overall was high (M=18.65 [8.65]). LDQ scores were highest among opiate and stimulant users, and there was a trend for higher scores among women compared to men (t=1.869, p=.063). Factor analysis using a robust alpha factoring extraction revealed a single factor accounting for 63% of the variance in reported dependence severity. The internal consistency was also very high (alpha=.93). Concurrent and convergent validity with dependence criteria, substance use frequency, and general symptom severity, respectively, were also acceptable.Conclusions The LDQ shows considerable promise as a brief, psychometrically sound, measure of substance dependence useful across a variety of substances, that has clinical and research utility. This study supports its use among young adults.
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The LDQ has high internal consistency (α=.93).
“The ability to capture dependence severity simultaneously across all substance classes, including alcohol, sensitivity to change, high internal consistency (α=.93), and clinical and research utility for young adults were identified as advantages [36,46].”
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- Authors
- Kelly, J. F., Magill, M., Slaymaker, V., & Kahler, C.
- Affiliations
- Harvard University (US)
- Brown University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Kelly, John F.
- Venue
- Addictive Behaviors
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2010-04
- Volume
- 35
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 331-336
- ISSN
- 0306-4603 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC3773982
- OpenAlex
- W2053030088
- Cited by
- 32
- References
- 39
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 0.22
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Addictive Behaviors (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (R21AA018185)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Keywords
- young adults, psychometric validation, opiate use, stimulant use, gender differences, factor structure, internal consistency, convergent validity, criterion validity
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Female, Humans, Male, Psychometrics, Surveys and Questionnaires, United States, Reproducibility of Results, Behavior, Addictive, Substance-Related Disorders, Young Adult
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