Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST-C) for patients with alcoholism

Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2014 Apr;50(2):83-92. doi: 10.1111/ppc.12022. Epub 2013 May 8.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST-C).

Design & methods: The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for the MAST-C were examined in this study.

Findings: The MAST-C had an internal consistency of 0.83 and a test-retest reliability of 0.89. It had a good content validity index of 0.92. Factor analysis identified four factors and the optimal cutoff point for the MAST-C was a score of 6/7, which yielded a sensitivity of 0.92, a specificity of 0.83, a positive predictive value of 0.92, and a negative predictive value of 0.83.

Practice implications: The MAST-C provides a fast, accurate, and sensitive method for clinically diagnosing alcoholism and clinical management.

Keywords: Alcoholism; reliability; validity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alcoholism / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / standards*
  • Psychometrics / instrumentation*
  • Taiwan
  • Young Adult