Student Drinking-Related Problems in an Urban Campus: Implications for Research and Prevention

Avci Ö., Fendrich M.

JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH, vol.58, no.6, pp.545-554, 2010 (SSCI) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 58 Issue: 6
  • Publication Date: 2010
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/07448481003705933
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.545-554
  • Keywords: alcohol-related problems, college students, Rasch, ALCOHOL-RELATED CONSEQUENCES, HEAVY EPISODIC DRINKING, HEALTH COLLEGE ALCOHOL, BINGE DRINKING, HARVARD SCHOOL, INTERVENTION, PREDICTORS, CONSUMPTION, INVENTORY, IMPACT
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Objective: Researchers who study the etiology of college drinking typically employ measures of alcohol-use behaviors as outcomes; however, relatively little is known about the properties of alcohol-related problems (AP). This study aims to develop a single continuous measure of AP. Participants: The sample included 531 undergraduate college students who were surveyed in March 2007. Methods: The Rasch model was employed for dichotomous variables to analyze the measurement properties of 17 AP items. Results: Although issues with respect to differentiation at low levels of problem severity were identified, based on most strategies, the Rasch-based scale was shown to be a valid and reliable measure of AP among college students. Conclusions: Although there may be some need for slight modification and adjustment in the future, the AP scale developed here can potentially serve as a useful measure for etiological and prevention research.