Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2015 Dec:51:127-30.
doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2015.07.010. Epub 2015 Jul 23.

A confirmatory factor analysis of the Protective Behavioral Strategies Scale among OEF/OIF veterans

Jennifer M Cadigan  1 , Cameron C Weaver  2 , Nicholas W McAfee  3 , Tracy E Herring  3 , Matthew P Martens  3
Affiliations

A confirmatory factor analysis of the Protective Behavioral Strategies Scale among OEF/OIF veterans

Jennifer M Cadigan et al. Addict Behav. 2015 Dec.

Abstract

Introduction: Military veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq (OEF/OIF/OND) are at-risk for increased alcohol consumption and alcohol-related consequences. The Protective Behavioral Strategies Scale (PBSS) has been shown to be a reliable and valid measure of assessing strategies to facilitate more responsible drinking and to reduce alcohol-related harm among college student populations. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the PBSS among the OEF/OIF veteran population.

Method: Participants were 251 veterans (94% male; 83% White; M age=31.77years) who were participating in a larger alcohol intervention trial and reported consuming alcohol within the past 30days.

Results: Confirmatory Factor Analyses indicated the model fit of the PBSS was similar to college student samples. Although a confirmatory three-factor model best fits the data, model fit indices were slightly below commonly accepted guidelines. All PBSS subscales were negatively correlated with alcohol outcomes. Greater use of Manner of Drinking (MOD) and Stopping/Limiting Drinking (SLD) strategies were associated with less alcohol consumption and lower peak BAC. Greater use of MOD strategies was associated with less alcohol-related problems.

Conclusions: Findings provide initial support for use of the PBSS among OEF/OIF veterans. Strategies aimed at Stopping/Limiting Drinking and the Manner of Drinking may be more effective with a veteran sample. Additional studies examining the external validity of this measure are encouraged.

Keywords: Confirmatory Factor Analysis; OEF/OIF; Protective behavioral strategies; Veterans.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Barnett NP, Murphy JG, Colby SM, Monti PM. Efficacy of counselor vs. computer-delivered intervention with mandated college students. Addictive Behaviors. 2007;32:2529–2548. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2007.06.017. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Collins RL, Parks GA, Marlatt GA. Social determinants of alcohol consumption: The effects of social interaction and model status on the self-administration of alcohol. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 1985;53:189–200. doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.53.2.189. - DOI - PubMed
    1. D’Lima GM, Pearson MR, Kelley ML. Protective behavioral strategies as a mediator and moderator of the relationship between self-regulation and alcohol-related consequences in first-year college students. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors. 2012;26:330–337. doi: 10.1037/a0026942. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Hawkins EJ, Lapham GT, Kivlahan DR, Bradley KA. Recognition and management of alcohol misuse in OEF/OIF and other veterans in the VA: A cross-sectional study. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2010;109:147–153. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2009.12.025. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Hoge CW, Castro CA, Messer SC, McGurk D, Cotting DI, Koffman RL. Combat duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, mental health problems, and barriers to care. New England Journal of Medicine. 2004;351:13–22. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa040603. - DOI - PubMed

Publication types