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The stability and reliability of self-reported drinking measures.
Paul J Gruenewald1, Fred W Johnson
1Prevention Research Center, 1995 University Avenue, Suite 450, Berkeley, California 94704, USA.
Journal of Studies on Alcohol
|July 19, 2006
Summary
Drinking pattern stability significantly impacts the reliability of self-reported alcohol use measures. Stable drinking behaviors lead to higher test-retest reliabilities in surveys, indicating consistent data collection.
Area of Science:
- Alcohol research
- Survey methodology
- Behavioral science
Background:
- Test-retest reliability of self-reported drinking measures is influenced by response consistency and behavioral stability.
- Unstable drinking behaviors may be reliably reported but show poor temporal correlation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the stability of drinking patterns and the test-retest reliabilities of drinking measures.
- To determine if drinking pattern stability influences the accuracy of self-reported alcohol consumption data.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from a general population telephone survey administered twice, one month apart, to 307 adult drinkers.
- Employed graduated frequency measures for drinking frequencies, quantities, and total alcohol consumption.
- Applied heteroscedastic regression models to analyze drinking pattern stability and its impact on reliability estimates.
Main Results:
- Overall test-retest reliabilities for drinking measures were good (0.65-0.85).
- The stability of drinking quantities substantially affected estimated test-retest reliabilities.
- Stable drinking patterns were strongly associated with higher test-retest reliabilities.
Conclusions:
- Self-reported alcohol use data from general population surveys are generally reliable.
- Observed reliability is contingent upon the stability of individual drinking patterns.
- Apparent unreliability in self-reports may stem from unstable drinking behaviors rather than inconsistent reporting.