Adaptation of the Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire (AEQ-A): for use among adol...

• Author(s): Barroso, Teresa Maria Mendes Dínis de Andrade ; Barbosa, António José Feliciano ; Mendes, Aida Maria de Oliveira Cruz
• Date: 2011
• Origin: Repositório Científico da Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Coimbra
• Subject(s): alcohol; questionnaire; adolescentes; excpectancies
• Document Type: Other
• Language: English

Description

Introduction: Previous studies have suggested that alcohol expectancies influence both the behavioural effects and different consumption patterns and can be modified via preventative efforts (Rönnback et al., 1999; Barroso, 2009). Expectancies are formed early, even prior to personal experiences of alcohol consumption through social learning processes during childhood and adolescence (Miller et al., 1990; Goldman et al., 1991; Perez-Aranibar et al., 2005). Objective: The aim of this study is to translate and adapt the Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire - Adolescent Form (AEQ-A: Goldman et al., 1982) for usage within the Portuguese adolescent population. Methods: This process of adaptation included three studies with adolescents (n=654; n=205 and n=212). Internal consistency, construct validity and concurrent validity were assessed. The three psychometric studies resulted in the development of a Scale of Positive Alcohol Expectancies (EEPA-A/AEQ-A). Results: This new version of the AEQ-A revealed a good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.94). Factor analysis (KMO = .890; Bartlett' test = 4419.729; p = .000) with the Varimax orthogonal rotation of the 49 remaining items revealed 4 factors with eigenvalues ≥ 1, explaining 40.81% of the total variance: Factor I. Facilitator of interpersonal relationships; Factor II. Stimulation and tension reduction; Factor III. Escape from negative emotional states; Factor IV. Change in social behavior and sexual arousal (? = .82 to .85). The factor associated with the modification of social behavior and sexual activation was significantly higher in adolescents who had consumed alcohol and had experienced intoxication (p= .000). The escape from negative emotional states factor was significantly higher in adolescents who had experienced intoxication (p= .034). Conclusions: This solution and its interpretation presented herein therefore incorporates much of the previously established knowledge in the expectancies literature. It contains 49 Likert-type items, with good reliability as well as construct validity. This scale displays sensitivity to previous alcohol consumption even in cases of experimental consumption, is useful for the behavioral research of alcohol consumption amongst Portuguese adolescents.