Dimensions and severity of marijuana consequences: development and validation of the Marijuana Consequences Questionnaire (MACQ)

Addict Behav. 2012 May;37(5):613-21. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2012.01.008. Epub 2012 Jan 14.

Abstract

The Marijuana Consequences Questionnaire (MACQ) is a 50-item self-report measure modeled after the Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire (YAACQ). College students (n=315) completed questionnaires online. A confirmatory factor analysis supported the hypothesized 8-factor structure. The results indicate good convergent and discriminant validity of the MACQ. A brief, unidimensional, 21-item version (B-MACQ) was developed by a Rasch model. Comparison of item severity estimates of the B-MACQ items and the corresponding items from the YAACQ indicates that the severity of alcohol- and marijuana-problems is defined by a relatively unique pattern of consequences. The MACQ and B-MACQ provide promising new alternatives to assessing marijuana-related problems.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Marijuana Abuse / complications*
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / standards*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Students / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires / standards*
  • Young Adult