Development and Validation of a Scale Measuring Attitudes Toward Non-Drinkers

Abstract

The idea that individuals drink alcohol to fit in with their peers has been investigated by many researchers. However, the related concept that consumption of alcohol may serve as a means of avoiding the social costs associated with being a non-drinker has received little attention. Three studies (N = 94, 148, 236) are outlined, which detail the construction and preliminary validation of the Regan Attitudes toward Non-Drinkers Scale (RANDS). Results indicated that scale score reliability for the RANDS was good (α values range from .82 to .89) with exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses suggesting that the scale possesses a unidimensional factor structure. Importantly, scores on the RANDS emerged as a stronger predictor of self-reported yearly alcohol consumption and binge-drinking than indicants commonly assessed in alcohol use and abuse research in adolescents and young adults (e.g., peer pressure). Limitations of these studies and directions for future research are outlined.

RÉSUMÉ

L’idée que certaines personnes boivent de l’alcool pour s’intégrer à un groupe a été étudiée par de nombreux chercheurs. Pourtant, le concept lié que la consommation d’alcool peut servir comme un moyen d’éviter les pressions sociales associées à être un non-buveur a reçu très peu d’attention. Trois études (Ns = 104, 258, 155) sont exposés qui détaillent la construction et la validation préliminaire du barème de Regan sur les attitudes à l’égard des non-buveurs (RANDS). Les résultats ont indiqué un bon niveau de fiabilité de RANDS (α (alpha) la gamme de 0,82 à 0,89) avec exploration et confirmation des analyses factorielle suggérant que le barème possède une structure de factor unidimensionnelle. D’une manière importante, les évaluations sur le RANDS ont émergés comme indice fort de l’auto-déclaration sur la consommation d’alcool et les beuveries dans une année, plus fort que d’autres indicants utilisé couramment dans l’évaluation de l’utilisation d’alcool et les recherches d’abus parmi les adolescents et les jeunes adultes (par exemple, la pression des pairs). Les restrictions de ces études et l’orientation pour la recherche future sont exposées.

RESUMEN

La idea de que los individuos beben alcohol para adaptarse a su grupo social ha sido estudiada por diversos investigadores. Sin embargo, se le ha prestado poca atención a un concepto relacionado con este tema, i., el hecho de que el consumo de alcohol pueda server como medio para evitar los costes sociales asociados con ser un no-bebedor. Aquí se describen tres estudios (Ns = 104, 258, 155) que detallan la construcción y la validación preliminar de la Escala Regan de Actitudes hacia los No-bebedores (Regan Attitudes towards Non-drinkers Scale/RANDS). Los resultados indican que la fiabilidad de la puntuación de la escala fue buena (las alfas oscilaron de .82 a .89) con análisis factoriales exploratorio y confirmador que sugieren que la escala posee una estructura factorial unidimensional. Es de notar que los resultados del RANDS se revelan como un predictor más eficaz del consumo anual de alcohol o de borracheras (‘binge-drinking’) que otros indicadores que a menudo se estudian en el marco de la investigación del uso y abuso del alcohol en los adolescentes y en jóvenes adultos (como pueden ser la estructura del grupo social, etc.). Se señalan las limitaciones de estos estudios y las directrices a seguir para futures investigaciones.

Keywords :

• drinking
• attitudes
• psychometrics
• alcohol
• Ireland

THE AUTHORS

Daniel Regan is a PhD candidate at the National University of Ireland, in Galway, and conducts research in the area of substance use, psychometrics, and scale development. He is a current recipient of the Lady Gregory Fellowship, which is awarded in recognition of postgraduate excellence. He has served as a reviewer for the Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science. He is an upcoming recipient of both, the scholar exchange programme with the University of California, in Los Angeles, and a scholarship to attend the “Professional-in-Residence” Programme at the Betty Ford Institute.

Todd G. Morrison is an Associate Professor at the University of Saskatchewan, and conducts research in the areas of stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination; psychometrics; male body image; and gay and lesbian psychology. He is the editor/co-editor of three books, and has published articles in various peer-reviewed journals including Pain, Body Image, Journal of Cross-cultural Psychology, Psychology of Men and Masculinity, Sex Roles, Journal of Men's Studies, and the European Journal of Psychological Assessment. He serves on several editorial boards, and is currently editor-elect of the Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science.

Notes

1 We would like to thank an anonymous reviewer who noted that one of the items, “I think it strange when people in University do not drink” limits the suitability of the RANDS to non-student populations. When distributed to non-student groups, we suggest modifying the item to read, “I think it strange when people do not drink.” Alternatively, the item may be removed. Re-analysis of the data suggests that psychometric properties for the 10-item RANDS are good. For example, in Study 1, the alpha coefficient was .87, 95% CI = .83–.91, with correlation coefficients between the RANDS and self-reported yearly alcohol consumption and binge-drinking retaining their statistical significance: .46 and .39, p < .001.

2 Based on the original research from the author of the SDS-17, item 4 (“I have tried illegal drugs [for example, marijuana, cocaine, etc.])” was excluded.