Psychometric Properties of the Adolescent Reinforcement Survey Schedule-Alcohol Use Version with College Student Drinkers

ABSTRACT

Background: Behavioral economic theories of drinking posit that the reinforcing value of engaging in activities with versus without alcohol influences drinking behavior. Measures of the reinforcement value of drugs and alcohol have been used in previous research, but little work has examined the psychometric properties of these measures. Objectives: The present study aims to evaluate the factor structure, test–retest reliability, and concurrent validity of an alcohol-only version of the Adolescent Reinforcement Survey Schedule (ARSS-AUV). Methods: A sample of 157 college student drinkers completed the ARSS-AUV at two time points 2–3 days apart. Test–retest reliability, hierarchical factor analysis, and correlations with other drinking measures were examined. Results: Single, unidimensional general factors accounted for a majority of the variance in alcohol and alcohol-free reinforcement items. Residual factors emerged that typically represented alcohol or alcohol-free reinforcement while doing activities with friends, romantic or sexual partners, and family members. Individual ARSS-AUV items had fair-to-good test–retest reliability, while general and residual factors had excellent test–retest reliability. General alcohol reinforcement and alcohol reinforcement from friends and romantic partners were positively correlated with past-year alcohol consumption, heaviest drinking episode, and alcohol-related negative consequences. Alcohol-free reinforcement indices were unrelated to alcohol use or consequences. Conclusions/Importance: The ARSS-AUV appears to demonstrate good reliability and mixed concurrent validity among college student drinkers. The instrument may provide useful information about alcohol reinforcement from various activities and people and could provide clinically-relevant information for prevention and treatment programs.

KEYWORDS:

• Alcohol reinforcement
• college drinking
• behavioral economics
• psychometrics
• social environment

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Ericka Avery, Aaron Haslam, Martin Haug, Melissa Santilli, Barbara McCrady, and Kamilla Venner for their assistance with this study.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Funding

This research was funded by National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism grant numbers T32AA018108 and T32AA007455. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism or the National Institutes of Health.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kevin A. Hallgren

Kevin A. Hallgren, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Washington's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. He is a clinical psychologist and statistical analyst with interests in psychological and social mechanisms that facilitate changes in alcohol use, including social support, alcohol craving, and therapist-patient discussions about change.

Brenna L. Greenfield

Brenna L. Greenfield, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist whose research focuses on substance use disorder prevention and treatment, with an emphasis on American Indians and Alaska Natives. She conducts community-based participatory research to reduce health inequities, bolster cultural strengths, and identify and intervene on multi-level factors that contribute to such inequities (e.g., racial discrimination).

Benjamin O. Ladd

Benjamin O. Ladd, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Psychology Department at Washington State University Vancouver. His research focuses on identifying factors that can be used to improve alcohol and drug abuse prevention efforts and investigating mechanisms of behavior change, particularly the role of client language in motivating health behavior change.