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. 2020 Apr;32(4):394-406.
doi: 10.1037/pas0000799. Epub 2020 Jan 30.

Optimal assessment of protective behavioral strategies among college drinkers: An item response theory analysis

Jessica L Martin  1 , Kimberly F Colvin  1 , Michael B Madson  2 , Byron L Zamboanga  2 , Rena Pazienza  1
Affiliations

Optimal assessment of protective behavioral strategies among college drinkers: An item response theory analysis

Jessica L Martin et al. Psychol Assess. 2020 Apr.

Abstract

College student alcohol use and related consequences continue to warrant significant concern. Extant research demonstrates protective behavioral strategies (PBS; self-regulatory strategies that can be employed before, during, or after drinking to prevent intoxication or negative consequences) have promise for preventative interventions. Variations in conceptualization and measurement of the construct limit generalization of PBS research. To advance generalization of PBS research, there is a need for a brief, comprehensive, content valid, PBS measure that demonstrates equivalence in measurement across demographically diverse college students. The present study aimed to develop a psychometrically robust measure of PBS using item response theory (IRT) to address measurement and methodological issues including identifying optimal response anchors and items that represent the full range of the PBS construct for use with college men and women from different racial backgrounds. Participants were 503 college students enrolled in a midsized university in the Southern United States. IRT and differential item functioning (DIF) analyses of 68 PBS items extracted from 6 existing PBS measures resulted in a 20-item instrument, the Protective Drinking Practices Scale, with items that functioned equivalently for White and Black/African American college men and women. The measure also demonstrated good internal and external validity. Widespread use of this measure will help enhance the comparability of findings in PBS research, allowing for more targeted and impactful research on PBS as a mechanism of change. Suggestions for future research are provided. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Probability curves for each response option for protective behavioral strategies (PBS) item “Spacing drinks over time.”
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Protective behavioral strategies (PBS) item, “Leave a drink unattended,” with overlapping probability response curves and poor residuals plot. Item removed from scale.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Response probability curves for the same item “Refuse drinks,” when administered with text- (left) and numeric-based response options (right). PBS = protective behavioral strategies.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Distribution of IRT-based scores and total test information of the Protective Drinking Practices Scale (PDPS) with 20 items. PBS = protective behavioral strategies.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Example of item exhibiting DIF: “Avoid drinking games.” PBS = protective behavioral strategies.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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