Factor structure of the Alcohol Urge Questionnaire under neutral conditions and during a cue-elicited urge state

The Alcohol Urge Questionnaire (AUQ) is a promising multi-item measure of self-reported urges to drink in human laboratory studies; however, its factor structure has not been examined during an acute urge state. This study sought to validate the AUQ's factor structure under neutral conditions and during a cue-elicited urge state in heavy drinkers. Participants (248 heavy drinkers; 70% male) completed the AUQ, the Alcohol Dependence Scale (ADS), and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) under neutral conditions. A randomly selected subsample (n=61; 74% male) then underwent a multimodal alcohol cue exposure and completed the AUQ and PANAS a second time. Under neutral conditions, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) replicated the previously reported single-factor structure, on which all items significantly loaded (p < 0.001). Alcohol urges, as measured by the AUQ, exhibited significant positive associations with drinks per week and severity of dependence. Following the alcohol cue exposure, participants exhibited a significant increase in urge on the AUQ. Confirmatory factor analysis of the AUQ during the cue-elicited urge state also supported the single factor structure, on which all items significantly loaded (p < 0.001). Positive and negative affect were positively associated with urges across the experimental protocol, but at greater magnitudes during an acutely elevated urge state. These results further validate the use of the AUQ for real-time measurement of alcohol craving in human laboratory research.