Factor analysis of the Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire in a middle-aged community sample.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire (AEQ) in a large community sample.


METHODS
This study is a cross-sectional survey design that utilized face-to-face interviews. Participants were recruited through their participation in the St. Louis Epidemiological Catchment Area study. Subjects (N = 753) were re-interviewed 11 years after their initial ECA interview, with the goal of detection of new cases of alcoholism. Of the 733 who completed the AEQ, 62% were women and 52% were married. Ages ranged from 29 to 62, with an avenge (SD) age of 43 (8.18). The racial breakdown of the sample was diverse, with 57% white, 38% black and 5% of another ethnicity.


RESULTS
The AEQ is comprised of six factors that explain 47% of the variance in the AEQ. Five of the factors have strong internal consistency, ranging from 0.78 to 0.93. The sixth factor has an internal consistency of 0.51.


CONCLUSIONS
Using a large community sample, the results reported herein replicate those of the original researchers.
Rubio
Doris McGartland
DM
Center for Research on Health Care, University of Pittsburgh, 230 McKee Place, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA. rubiodm@msx.upmc.edu
Bucholz
Kathleen K
KK
Neuman
Rosalind J
RJ
Rauch
Shannon M
SM
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires