Student drinking-related problems in an urban campus: implications for research and prevention.
OBJECTIVE
Researchers who study the etiology of college drinking typically employ measures of alcohol-use behaviors as outcomes; however, relatively little is known about the properties of alcohol-related problems (AP). This study aims to develop a single continuous measure of AP.


METHODS
The sample included 531 undergraduate college students who were surveyed in March 2007.


METHODS
The Rasch model was employed for dichotomous variables to analyze the measurement properties of 17 AP items.


RESULTS
Although issues with respect to differentiation at low levels of problem severity were identified, based on most strategies, the Rasch-based scale was shown to be a valid and reliable measure of AP among college students.


CONCLUSIONS
Although there may be some need for slight modification and adjustment in the future, the AP scale developed here can potentially serve as a useful measure for etiological and prevention research.
Avci
Ozgur
O
Center for Addiction and Behavioral Health Research and the Urban Studies Programs, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201, USA.
Fendrich
Michael
M
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D014505:Urban Population