Structure and longitudinal invariance of the Short Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perception Questionnaire

Area of Science:

• Psychometrics
• Social Psychology
• Addiction Research

Background:

• The Short Alcohol Attitudes Problem Perception Questionnaire (SAAPPQ) is widely used to assess professional attitudes towards individuals with alcohol problems.
• Previous research has not validated the SAAPPQ's internal structure or confirmed its measurement invariance over time or across groups.
• Potential measurement bias could compromise the validity of SAAPPQ score comparisons.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a longitudinal psychometric examination of the SAAPPQ.
• To investigate the internal structure and measurement invariance of the SAAPPQ.
• To determine if SAAPPQ scores are valid proxies for attitudes towards individuals with alcohol problems.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal study design was employed.
• Data were collected from 241 human services professionals-in-training.
• Confirmatory factor analysis and measurement invariance testing were utilized.

Main Results:

• A four-factor structure was identified for the SAAPPQ, differing from the previously reported five-factor model.
• Longitudinal analysis demonstrated configural, metric, and strong scalar measurement invariance.
• Factor intercorrelations increased over time, suggesting against aggregating subscale scores into global scores.

Conclusions:

• The four-factor structure of the SAAPPQ is supported, with subscale scores potentially serving as valid measures of attitudes toward alcohol users.
• Longitudinal measurement invariance suggests score stability over time for this population.
• Further confirmatory research is recommended to ensure no measurement bias affects SAAPPQ score interpretations.