Measurement invariance and other psychometric properties of the Short Inventory of Problems (SIP-2R) across racial groups in adults experiencing homelessness and alcohol use disorder.

Abstract

Objective: People experiencing homelessness are disproportionately impacted by alcohol-related harm. Racially minoritized groups are disproportionately represented in the homeless population and are likewise disproportionately impacted by alcohol-related harm. Most alcohol outcome measures have not been adequately psychometrically studied in this marginalized population and across racial groups. This study documents psychometric properties, including measurement invariance, reliability, and convergent validity, of a measure of alcohol-related harm, the Short Inventory of Problems (SIP-2R), across Black, North American Indigenous (NAI), and White adults experiencing homelessness and alcohol use disorder (AUD). Method: Adults experiencing homelessness and AUD who had participated in one of two randomized controlled trials of harm-reduction treatment (N = 493; NAI = 205, Black = 125, and White = 163) were included in this psychometric study of the 15-item SIP-2R. Results: Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA) indicated that a model comprising one general alcohol-related harm factor overarching five factors, showed close fit and partial scalar invariance, χ 2 (329, N = 493) = 624.902, p < .001, comparative fit index (CFI) = .966, root-mean-square error of approximation (RMSEA) = .074, 90% CI [.066, .083], standardized root-mean-square residual (SRMR) = .063, confirming acceptable measurement equivalence across racial groups. The SIP-2R showed internal consistency (α = .94, ω = .95) and convergent validity, that is, positive correlation between the total SIP-2R score and the number of drinks consumed the heaviest drinking day, ρ(490) = .30, p < .001. Conclusion: This study provided support for the internal consistency, convergent validity, and cross-group measurement equivalence of the SIP-2R for NAI, Black, and White adults experiencing homelessness with AUD. Public Health Significance StatementThis study indicates a widely used measure of alcohol-related harm; the Short Inventory of Problems (SIP-2R) is psychometrically sound for use among North American Indigenous and Black adults experiencing homelessness and alcohol use disorder, which is imperative for reliably and validly reporting on alcohol-related health inequities and conducting cross-group comparisons.

Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia on Alcohol Treatment Outcomes Among US Veterans

“…However, objective measures of sleep (eg, polysomnography, actigraphy) would have provided insight on other aspects of sleep that may or may not change with CBT-I. Similarly, although inclusion of alcohol-related problems as an outcome is novel, the Short Inventory of Problems has not demonstrated measurement invariance in all studies . Research is also needed to understand how CBT-I may have an effect on alcohol problems in the absence of an effect on drinking.…”

“…Alcohol-related problems (eg, taking foolish risks, damaging relationships) in the past 6 weeks were assessed using the 15-item Short Inventory of Problems, which has demonstrated reliability and validity among individuals with AUD and in substance use treatment . Reliability in this sample was good (α = .95).…”