Search

Affected others of disordered gamblers are often heavily impacted because of the illness. Up till now, there is no standardized German instrument to assess this impact. Internationally, the Short Questionnaire for Family Members-affected by addiction (SQFM-AA) is often used which is based on the Stress-Strain-Coping-Support-Modell. That is why we translated this questionnaire into the German Kurzfragebogen für suchtbelastete Familienmitglieder SQFM-AA (Version Glücksspiel) to be able to assess the impact on affected others and to compare our results internationally.The SQFM-AA was translated and retranslated and tested in an online convenience sample of affected others. Essential psychometric properties, discriminatory power, and internal consistency were calculated. Factor structure was analysed using an exploratory factor analysis (principal axis analysis, varimax rotation).Data collected from 122 affected others (87% female; 67% partners; 61% joint household) were analysed. Discriminatory power ranges between 0.30-0.94, Cronbach's alpha between 0.61-0.95. Factor analysis shows that 69% of variance can be explained in a solution with 9 factors.Due to the methods used when translating and back-translating the SQFM-AA, it can be assumed that both versions are comparable. Internal consistency of all scales is in an acceptable to good range. In our sample, the postulated 11 sub-scales cannot be reproduced. The 9 factors found here can be derived based on theoretical preliminary considerations. 4 of the scales are reflected well in the analysis, 3 more factors show a relevant load on other scales. Furthermore, one item each does not load on the proposed factor for the 2 remaining scales. All in all, the factors can be interpreted well regarding their content. A modification of the questionnaire would improve some of the statistical values, but the international comparability would no longer be possible.With the adaptation presented here, impact on affected others of disordered gamblers can be assessed and relevant areas for therapy and counselling can be identified.

There is evidence that high alcohol use is associated with an increase in mortality. Little is known about long-term effects of problematic alcohol consumption in non-clinical (community) populations. The aim of our study was to obtain data on this and related issues in a representative rural community sample assessed longitudinally over a period of 20 years. Assessments focused on a baseline survey from 1980 to 1984 and 20-year follow-up from 2001 to 2004. Based on expert interviews and standardized self-rating scales (e.g. MALT; Munich Alcoholism Test), the following three groups were defined (a) severe alcohol problems, (b) moderate alcohol problems, and (c) no alcohol problems. Mortality and hazard rates were analyzed with logistic and Cox regression adjusted for several health risk factors. From an original community sample of 1,465 individuals, 448 were deceased at 20-year follow-up. Participation rates were high. Baseline prevalence according to the MALT was 1.6% for severe alcohol problems and 4.0% for moderate alcohol problems. Over the 20-year time span, individuals with severe alcohol problems had a significantly elevated risk for dying earlier than the group with no alcohol problems (2.4 times higher). Mortality for those with moderate alcohol problems at baseline had a non-significantly elevated 20-year mortality risk (1.5 times higher) compared to those with no alcohol problems. Cox survival analyses corroborate these findings from multiple sequential logistic regression analyses. In discussing the mortality risk of persons with alcohol problems, the severity of the alcohol problems must be taken into account.