Compliance with event-contingent ecological momentary assessments and subjective follow-ups during drinking episodes

One of the most ecologically valid methods of assessing alcohol use is event-contingent ecological momentary assessments, being self-initiated ecological momentary assessments when drinking commences. However, studies of compliance with event-contingent drinking reports, and subjective momentary follow-ups thereafter, are scant. These reports are particularly important in alcohol research, as they glean subjective assessments during acute drinking moments. This study tested patterns and predictors of compliance with event-contingent reports and subsequent subjective follow-ups during drinking episodes. Young adults (N = 131) completed event-contingent reports after their first drink, with subjective follow-ups sent 60 min and 120 min later for 21 days. Participants also completed morning/afternoon surveys. Multilevel models tested whether affective, behavioral, and protocol-specific variables predicted compliance with event-contingent reports and subjective follow-ups thereafter. Event-contingent compliance was 78.4%, 60-min follow-up compliance was 72.4%, and 120-min follow-up compliance was 70.0%. For event-contingent compliance, deviations in daytime positive affect predicted a lower likelihood of compliance, but completing a higher cumulative number of event-contingent reports predicted a higher likelihood of compliance. For follow-up compliance, nighttime/afternoon (vs. morning) reports were associated with a higher likelihood of compliance and a higher cumulative number of drink reports at a given time with a lower likelihood of compliance. Follow-ups sent 120 min versus 60 min after initiation were associated with a lower likelihood of compliance. Daytime negative affect and planned drinking; drinking quantity, context, and alcohol/cannabis couse; and person-average drinking quantity, sex, age, and college status were unrelated to compliance. Findings may inform future studies in their design, schedule, and orientation practices when including event-contingent assessments.cumulative number of event-contingent reports predicted a higher likelihood of compliance. For follow-up compliance, nighttime/afternoon (vs. morning) reports were associated with a higher likelihood of compliance and a higher cumulative number of drink reports at a given time with a lower likelihood of compliance. Follow-ups sent 120 min versus 60 min after initiation were associated with a lower likelihood of compliance. Daytime negative affect and planned drinking; drinking quantity, context, and alcohol (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).