title: A confirmatory factor analysis of the Protective Behavioral Strategies Scale among OEF/OIF veterans.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Military veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq (OEF/OIF/OND) are at-risk for increased alcohol consumption and alcohol-related consequences. The Protective Behavioral Strategies Scale (PBSS) has been shown to be a reliable and valid measure of assessing strategies to facilitate more responsible drinking and to reduce alcohol-related harm among college student populations. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the PBSS among the OEF/OIF veteran population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 251 veterans (94% male; 83% White; M age=31.77years) who were participating in a larger alcohol intervention trial and reported consuming alcohol within the past 30days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Confirmatory Factor Analyses indicated the model fit of the PBSS was similar to college student samples. Although a confirmatory three-factor model best fits the data, model fit indices were slightly below commonly accepted guidelines. All PBSS subscales were negatively correlated with alcohol outcomes. Greater use of Manner of Drinking (MOD) and Stopping/Limiting Drinking (SLD) strategies were associated with less alcohol consumption and lower peak BAC. Greater use of MOD strategies was associated with less alcohol-related problems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings provide initial support for use of the PBSS among OEF/OIF veterans. Strategies aimed at Stopping/Limiting Drinking and the Manner of Drinking may be more effective with a veteran sample. Additional studies examining the external validity of this measure are encouraged.
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology, University of Missouri, United States. Electronic address: Jennifer.Cadigan@mail.missouri.edu.
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cadigan
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Stout, United States.
authors.forename: Cameron C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology, University of Missouri, United States.
authors.forename: Nicholas W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: McAfee
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology, University of Missouri, United States.
authors.forename: Tracy E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Herring
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology, University of Missouri, United States.
authors.forename: Matthew P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Martens
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Confirmatory Factor Analysis; OEF/OIF; Protective behavioral strategies; Veterans