Is there a higher-order factor of alcohol-related protective behavioral strategies? Further analysis of the Protective Behavioral Strategies Scale’s (PBSS) factor structure

Abstract

Background

Although it is a widely used instrument, there is still no consensus related to the factor structure of the Protective Behavioral Strategies Scale (PBSS), particularly the function of a higher-order protective behavioral strategies (PBS) factor is needed to be explored. The present research aimed to test and validate competing measurement models of the PBSS, with a special focus on exploring the role of a higher-order PBS factor.

Method

Two independent samples of university students (between 18-29 years of age) who reported alcohol use in the past 12 months were used. Overall, 327 and 488 participants were included in the present study (females: 68% and 71%). The questionnaire assessed excessive alcohol consumption and PBS use.

Results

Based on a series of confirmatory factor analyses, the second-order factor model with a higher order factor and four first-order factors presented the most parsimonious solution and closest fit to the data in both samples. Validation analyses indicated that the higher-order factor of PBS use and the first order factor of manner of drinking (MOD) and stopping/limiting drinking-mixing (SLD-M) were consistently associated with lower level of excessive alcohol use.

Conclusions

Present findings supported the role of a higher-order factor of PBS use which might represent a general measure of PBS. First-order PBS factors showed divergent harm-reduction capacity: MOD and SLD-M rather than Planned limits strategies (SLD-P) were associated with more beneficial alcohol use-related outcomes.

Keywords:

• Protective Behavioral Strategies Scale (PBSS)
• confirmatory factor analysis (CFA)
• excessive alcohol use
• harm reduction

Ethical approval

Authors declare that all procedures followed the ethical standards of the Declarations of Helsinki. Informed consent was obtained from all the participants for being included in the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, ZH, upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Hungarian National Research, Development and Innovation Office [NKFIH-1157-8/2019-DT].