Development of a Questionnaire to Assess University Students’ Intentions to Use Behavioral Alcohol-Reduction Strategies

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the psychometric properties of a new self-report questionnaire designed to assess college students’ intentions to employ 31 specific alcohol-reduction strategies. Method Students attending a large public university were recruited to complete alcohol-reduction, drinking history, and personality questionnaires online. Results Based on item-total correlations and principal components analysis, we eliminated three items and calculated average intention ratings across the remaining 28 items. The resulting scale had appropriate unidimensionality and excellent internal consistency. Correlations of intention questionnaire scores with measures of drinking history, alcohol outcome expectancies, sensation seeking, and impression management provided some support for criterion and discriminant validity of the questionnaire. Conclusion This questionnaire could be employed as an outcome measure to evaluate prevention programs and as a clinical tool to identify clients who have little intention to employ drinking reduction strategies in heavy drinking situations.

Protective behavioral strategies, alcohol expectancies, and drinking motives in a model of college student drinking.

“…Consistent with the findings of Bonar and colleagues (2012), our study supports a negative association. Results indicated that the more an individual expects social facilitation effects from drinking, the less likely they are to use certain protective strategies while drinking.…”

“…Protective behavioral strategies (PBS) are cognitive-behavioral strategies implemented by the drinker to reduce consumption and related harms (e.g., Bonar et al, 2012; Martens, Ferrier, Sheehy, Corbett, Anderson, & Simmons, 2005; Novik & Boekeloo, 2011; Pearson, 2013; Sugarman & Carey, 2007). Previous research investigating PBS has focused on strategies that individuals could use while drinking to moderate use.…”

Testing a model of caffeinated alcohol-specific expectancies

“…This is consistent with prior research examining alcohol-only outcome expectancies, such that positive beliefs about the effects of alcohol were negatively associated with PBS use (Bonar et al, 2012; Linden et al, 2014; Madson et al, 2013). In the case of CAB use, a similar pattern is observed with ANC expectancies.…”

The stigmatization of nonsuicidal self‐injury

“…The BIQs used a format developed by Triandis (1977) and included items similar to those used in social distancing scales (Corrigan, Markowitz, Watson, Rowan, & Kubiak, 2003; Link et al, 1987; Triandis, 1977). Similar behavioral intention questionnaires have been used in IAT research (Bonar et al, 2012; White, Hogg, & Terry, 2002). Separate BIQs were created to assess behavioral intentions towards individuals with scarring from NSSI, those with visible tattoos, and individuals with scarring from non-intentional incidents.…”