Abstract

POMBO, Samuel; ISMAIL, Fátima  and  CARDOSO, J.M. Neves. Alcohol cravers. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2008, vol.9, n.2, pp.349-365. ISSN 1645-0086.

Craving can be defined as a strong desire/urge towards alcohol consumption. In the literature, several models have tried to explain this phenomenon and many psychometric instruments have been introduced. The study aims to assess the psychometric properties of two craving questionnaires (Yale -Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale for heavy drinking and the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale) and the alcohol craving levels in an alcohol dependent outpatient population. Reliability study, factorial analysis and correlation coefficients of similar measures revealed good psychometric qualities and corroborate the convergent validity. Comparative analysis verified that alcohol dependent patients classified as “cravers” show significantly higher scores of depression, anxiety and aggressivity, supporting the cognitive component of craving induced by negative emotions - negative craving.

Keywords : Alcohol; Compulsion; Craving; Dependence.

        · abstract in Portuguese     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )