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Trautmann S, Kräplin A, Muehlhan M, Fuchs FO, Loesch B, Wittgens C. The ad-libitum taste test as measure of momentary alcohol use in the laboratory: an investigation of construct validity and confounding factors. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024; 241:913-923. [PMID: 38141076 PMCID: PMC11031463 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06518-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The ad-libitum taste test is a widely used covert measure of motivation to consume alcohol in the laboratory. However, studies on its construct validity and potential confounding factors are scarce. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to evaluate the construct validity of the ad-libitum taste test by examining the association of ad-libitum alcohol consumption with typical alcohol use and craving, and investigating potential moderation by trait anxiety, depressiveness, current mood, and drinking motives. METHODS A sample of 264 young male individuals were offered two 0.33 l glasses of beer. Participants were instructed to rate the characteristics of each drink, while the percentage of beverages containing alcohol consumed was assessed. Associations of ad-libitum consumption with typical alcohol use and craving were assessed using non-parametric and piecewise regressions. Moreover, moderator analysis with trait anxiety, depressiveness, current mood, and drinking motives was carried out. RESULTS Ad-libitum alcohol consumption was associated with typical alcohol use and alcohol craving. However, these associations decreased at high consumption levels. Associations between ad-libitum consumption, typical alcohol use, and craving were stable across several conditions, except that the association between ad-libitum consumption and craving increased with higher social, conformity, and coping drinking motives. CONCLUSIONS The ad-libitum taste test appears to be a valid measure of the motivation to drink alcohol in laboratory studies in young male adults, although this validity might be compromised at high levels of ad-libitum consumption. Consideration of these factors can contribute to further refining the ad-libitum taste test as a valuable tool for assessing motivation to consume alcohol in laboratory studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Trautmann
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Science, Medical School Hamburg, Am Kaiserkai 1, 20457, Hamburg, Germany.
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hamburg, ICPP, Am Kaiserkai 1, 20457, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Anja Kräplin
- Work Group Addictive Behaviors, Risk Analysis and Risk Management, Faculty of Psychology, Technische University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Markus Muehlhan
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Science, Medical School Hamburg, Am Kaiserkai 1, 20457, Hamburg, Germany
- ICAN Institute for Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, Medical School Hamburg, Am Kaiserkai 1, 20457, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Fée Ona Fuchs
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Science, Medical School Hamburg, Am Kaiserkai 1, 20457, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hamburg, ICPP, Am Kaiserkai 1, 20457, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Beate Loesch
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Science, Medical School Hamburg, Am Kaiserkai 1, 20457, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hamburg, ICPP, Am Kaiserkai 1, 20457, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Charlotte Wittgens
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Science, Medical School Hamburg, Am Kaiserkai 1, 20457, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hamburg, ICPP, Am Kaiserkai 1, 20457, Hamburg, Germany
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