Abstract
Objectives: Based on the Magdeburger Alcohol Tolerance Test for adults (MATT), a respective questionnaire version for adolescents was developed (J-MATT). The goal was to help identify adolescents with respect to the extent of their alcohol tolerance in order to allow an earlier detection of problematic alcohol consumption.
Methods: TheMATT (version with 50 items) was supplemented by 30 items addressing alcohol tolerance and consumption in adolescents. The J-MATT was completed by 160 subjects (aged 12–26 years). Factor and item analyses were accomplished using these data. The results were compared with reference samples of the MATT [medical students (N=164); adults without (N=165) and with alcohol dependency (N=41)].
Results: 23 items remained following factor and item analyses. Three factors of the J-MATT (alcohol tolerance/functional tolerance, physical performance, environment / function of alcohol consumption) correlated with consumed amounts of alcohol. The age of first consumption of alcohol was 12;10 ±1;10 (years; months). The amount of alcohol needed to subjectively perceive an effect was 62 g. Adolescents had higher alcohol tolerance than medical students and adults without alcohol dependency. Only adults with alcohol dependency showed higher alcohol tolerance levels than adolescents.
Conclusion: Reported alcohol consumption and tolerance levels of adolescents were alarmingly high and exceeded the established limits for very risky alcohol consumption. However, some of these effects may be explained by adolescents’ tendency to exaggerate.
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