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A study of the reliability and validity of the holmes alcoholism scale
Author(s) -
Hays Ron,
Stacy Alan
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/1097-4679(198303)39:2<284::aid-jclp2270390227>3.0.co;2-a
Subject(s) - psychology , likert scale , clinical psychology , reliability (semiconductor) , internal consistency , discriminant validity , scale (ratio) , sample (material) , psychometrics , test validity , psychiatry , developmental psychology , chemistry , power (physics) , physics , chromatography , quantum mechanics
The Holmes Am Scale was found to have low internal consistency reliability when a Likert‐type response format was employed in both a college and in an alcoholic sample ( N = 116). Comparison of Am scores between the alcoholic and college groups revealed a significant point ‐biserial correlation between Am scores and group; alcoholics had the higher mean score. Discriminant analysis resulted in 76.3% correct classification of respondents into their respective group (alcoholic vs. college) on the basis of Am scores. In addition, Am scores were found to be related modestly to self‐reports of quantity and frequency of alcohol use in the college sample. Althouth these results provide support for the validity of the Am scale, its reliability is yet to be established.