Optimizing measures of drinking to predict alcohol-related consequences.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Addiction Science

Background:

• Alcohol consumption rises in late adolescence, especially among college students.
• Self-reported drinking quantity and frequency are often inaccurate, leading to biased risk assessments.
• Previous research indicates that inaccurate self-reporting of alcohol use increases with higher consumption levels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine two methods for improving self-reported alcohol consumption estimates.
• To assess the association between optimized alcohol consumption estimates and negative consequences.
• To investigate the moderating role of body mass index in the relationship between alcohol consumption and its consequences.

Main Methods:

• 572 college students completed surveys and a free-pour knowledge task.
• Multiple regression with covariates and instrumental variable analyses were used.
• Associations between alcohol consumption, consequences, and body mass index were tested.

Main Results:

• Inaccuracy indicators in self-reported consumption served as valid instrumental variables.
• Alcohol consumption and negative consequences were strongly associated across models.
• Consumption predicted consequences only when body mass index was below ~34 (obesity class 1).

Conclusions:

• Including assessments of reporting inaccuracy and alcohol knowledge is vital for reducing measurement error bias.
• Body mass index is an important moderator in predicting alcohol-related consequences.
• Optimized self-reported alcohol consumption measures enhance the understanding of alcohol's impact on college students.