A latent class analysis of alcohol abuse and dependence symptoms among Puerto Rican youth.

The study aim was to classify youths into homogenous groups based on their symptoms of Alcohol Abuse and Dependence. An NIDA-funded cross-sectional survey was administered to 622 middle and high school students in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2000. Latent class analysis (LCA) examined the Alcohol Abuse and Dependence symptoms. Three distinct classes of drinkers were found: low (86.0% of sample), moderate (11.7% of sample), and high (2.3% of sample) severity classes which were distinguished by differing estimated probabilities of symptom reporting. The study has implications for the diagnosis of Alcohol Abuse and Dependence among Puerto Rican youths. Limitations are also noted.