Development and Validation of the Maternal Drinking Motives Scale (M-DMS)

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Alcohol consumption is influenced by gender and life stages, such as motherhood.
• Existing drinking motive scales do not specifically address maternal populations.
• There is a need for a specialized tool to assess drinking motives in mothers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a new Maternal Drinking Motives Scale (M-DMS).
• To examine the associations between the M-DMS and maternal alcohol-related behaviors.
• To provide a tailored instrument for research on maternal alcohol use.

Main Methods:

• An online observational survey of 534 UK mothers was conducted to develop M-DMS items.
• Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to establish the scale's structure.
• The scale's predictive validity was assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and Timeline Follow back data.

Main Results:

• A two-factor model (positive and negative reinforcement motives) demonstrated a good fit and excellent reliability.
• The M-DMS showed good test-retest reliability for both subscales.
• Both M-DMS subscales significantly predicted AUDIT scores and alcohol consumption quantity.

Conclusions:

• The newly developed Maternal Drinking Motives Scale (M-DMS) is a valid research instrument.
• The M-DMS can be used to assess psychological mechanisms driving alcohol use in mothers.
• This scale offers a more accurate assessment for maternal populations.