Validation of the Alcohol Use Questionnaire (AUQ) in the Italian Context: A Measure for Assessing Alcohol Intake and Binge Drinking

An accurate assessment of alcohol consumption is essential for identifying at-risk individuals and informing prevention and intervention strategies. The present study aimed to validate the Italian version of the Alcohol Use Questionnaire (AUQ), a self-report instrument designed to assess both genera...

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Main Authors: Eleonora Topino, Alessio Gori
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2254-9625/15/7/137
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author Eleonora Topino
Alessio Gori
author_facet Eleonora Topino
Alessio Gori
author_sort Eleonora Topino
collection DOAJ
description An accurate assessment of alcohol consumption is essential for identifying at-risk individuals and informing prevention and intervention strategies. The present study aimed to validate the Italian version of the Alcohol Use Questionnaire (AUQ), a self-report instrument designed to assess both general alcohol intake and binge drinking patterns. A sample of 378 Italian participants (54.5% female; <i>M<sub>age</sub></i> = 26.76 years, <i>SD</i> = 8.44) completed the AUQ along with additional measures assessing binge eating and psychological vulnerabilities related to addiction. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a bifactor model reflecting two distinct but related dimensions: general intake and binge drinking. Network analysis highlighted the central role of perceived frequency of intoxication within the structure of alcohol-related behaviors. Both AUQ indices showed good internal consistency and significant associations with external variables, particularly impulsivity, dissociation, and affect dysregulation, supporting construct validity. The Italian AUQ emerges as a valid and reliable tool for assessing alcohol use patterns and may be useful in both research and clinical practice.
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spelling doaj-art-c5a0bc7c451d4a6982b928e9b10de4a02025-08-20T02:45:45ZengMDPI AGEuropean Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education2174-81442254-96252025-07-0115713710.3390/ejihpe15070137Validation of the Alcohol Use Questionnaire (AUQ) in the Italian Context: A Measure for Assessing Alcohol Intake and Binge DrinkingEleonora Topino0Alessio Gori1Department of Human and Social Sciences, Mercatorum University, Piazza Mattei, 10, 00186 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Via di San Salvi 12, Pad. 26, 50135 Florence, ItalyAn accurate assessment of alcohol consumption is essential for identifying at-risk individuals and informing prevention and intervention strategies. The present study aimed to validate the Italian version of the Alcohol Use Questionnaire (AUQ), a self-report instrument designed to assess both general alcohol intake and binge drinking patterns. A sample of 378 Italian participants (54.5% female; <i>M<sub>age</sub></i> = 26.76 years, <i>SD</i> = 8.44) completed the AUQ along with additional measures assessing binge eating and psychological vulnerabilities related to addiction. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a bifactor model reflecting two distinct but related dimensions: general intake and binge drinking. Network analysis highlighted the central role of perceived frequency of intoxication within the structure of alcohol-related behaviors. Both AUQ indices showed good internal consistency and significant associations with external variables, particularly impulsivity, dissociation, and affect dysregulation, supporting construct validity. The Italian AUQ emerges as a valid and reliable tool for assessing alcohol use patterns and may be useful in both research and clinical practice.https://www.mdpi.com/2254-9625/15/7/137alcohol intakebinge drinkingalcohol use disorderdrinking patternsaddictionsubstance use disorder
spellingShingle Eleonora Topino
Alessio Gori
Validation of the Alcohol Use Questionnaire (AUQ) in the Italian Context: A Measure for Assessing Alcohol Intake and Binge Drinking
European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education
alcohol intake
binge drinking
alcohol use disorder
drinking patterns
addiction
substance use disorder
title Validation of the Alcohol Use Questionnaire (AUQ) in the Italian Context: A Measure for Assessing Alcohol Intake and Binge Drinking
title_full Validation of the Alcohol Use Questionnaire (AUQ) in the Italian Context: A Measure for Assessing Alcohol Intake and Binge Drinking
title_fullStr Validation of the Alcohol Use Questionnaire (AUQ) in the Italian Context: A Measure for Assessing Alcohol Intake and Binge Drinking
title_full_unstemmed Validation of the Alcohol Use Questionnaire (AUQ) in the Italian Context: A Measure for Assessing Alcohol Intake and Binge Drinking
title_short Validation of the Alcohol Use Questionnaire (AUQ) in the Italian Context: A Measure for Assessing Alcohol Intake and Binge Drinking
title_sort validation of the alcohol use questionnaire auq in the italian context a measure for assessing alcohol intake and binge drinking
topic alcohol intake
binge drinking
alcohol use disorder
drinking patterns
addiction
substance use disorder
url https://www.mdpi.com/2254-9625/15/7/137
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