Development and validation of the college drinking influences survey

OBJECTIVE: The authors developed and validated measures of college drinking expectations, psychosocial influences, and values. PARTICIPANTS: Freshmen at college entry (N = 320) and the end of freshman year (N = 420) participated. METHODS: The College Drinking Influences Survey, administered in paper and Web-based versions, consists of 3 distinct scales: (1) the College Drinking Expectations Scale assesses expectations for drinking norms and consequences; (2) the Psychosocial Drinking Inventory evaluates social influences, stress, and sensation seeking; and (3) the Drinking Values Scale assesses drinking decisions based on personal choice, social responsibility, and institutional obligation. RESULTS: Factor analysis, interitem reliability, and correlations with existing instruments demonstrated validity and reliability. Differences between the sexes were in predicted directions, and multiple regression using subscale scores as predictors accounted for significant variance in drinking behaviors across the freshman year. CONCLUSIONS: Data support the usefulness of the scales for identifying student alcohol risk and protective factors.