The DSM-IV construct of cocaine dependence in a treatment sample of Black, Mexican American, and White men

The unidimensionality of the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) construct of cocaine dependence was examined among 263 Black, 212 Mexican American, and 256 White men admitted consecutively to 5 substance abuse treatment programs in the Bay Area of northern California. Interviews of about 1 hr were conducted in the programs' facilities by trained interviewers who used a standardized questionnaire. Results of the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) generally supported a unidimensional model of the 7 indicators of DSM-IV cocaine dependence across the men in all 3 ethnic groups. The results of the CFA, latent trait analysis, and latent class analysis suggested that the indicator representing health problems from cocaine use may not be as useful as the other criteria for identifying cocaine dependence. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.