Validation of a substance craving questionnaire (SCQ) in Italian population

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Substance Craving Questionnaire (SCQ-NOW), extended version of the Cocaine Craving Questionnaire (CCQ-NOW), defined as a multidimensional measure assessing the craving about cocaine, as conceptualized by Tiffany, Singleton, Haertzen, and Henningfield (1993). METHOD: 344 substance addicts (age 38.56 ± 10.63 years old; 20.6% females) took part in the research. The Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed that the Italian SCQ-NOW retains good psychometric properties, supporting the conception of substances craving as a multifold concept. RESULTS: The internal consistencies were good; correlations between the SCQ-NOW, the Symptom Check List 90 – R (SCL-90-R), and the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) were consistent with literature. CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm the application of SCQ-NOW as a psychometric useful measure of the craving in the Italian context, highlighting its validity and reliability. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.