Affiliations: Institut für Medizinische Psychologie,
Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120
Magdeburg | Medizinische Psychologie, Universität zu
Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23568 Lübeck
Note: [] Korrespondenzadresse: Dr. Carolin Gall, Institut für
Medizinische Psychologie, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg,
Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg. E-mail:
carolin.gall@med.ovgu.de
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.
