Further Examination of the Psychometric Properties of the Comprehensive Effects of Alcohol Questionnaire

Abstract

Although the expectancies component of the Comprehensive Effects of Alcohol Questionnaire has previously been shown to be factorially valid, the factor structure of its valuations component has not previously been examined. The aims of this paper were: (i) to replicate the factor structure of the expectancies items; (ii) to explore the factor structure of the valuations items; and (iii) to investigate the utility of using the Comprehensive Effects of Alcohol Questionnaire to predict drinking behavior. The questionnaire was administered to 1004 university students along with measures of quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption. Fromme, Stroot, and Kaplan's (1993) factor structure of the expectancies scales was replicated. The factor structures of the negative valuations scales were characterized by 2 rather than 3 factors. Negative expectancies improved upon the prediction of drinking quantity and frequency over‐and‐above positive expectancies, and valuations further improved prediction over‐and‐above expectancies. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.

Keywords:

• alcohol
• Comprehensive Effects of Alcohol Questionnaire
• CEOA
• factor analysis
• drinking behavior
• alcohol expectancies
• utility theory

Acknowledgements

This research was supported through a grant to the second author from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. The second author is supported through an Investigator Award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.