Examining the validity of the drinking motives questionnaire for identifying reward and relief drinking subgroups in college students

BackgroundHeavy alcohol use in college is associated with a risk of developing alcohol use disorder. Characterizing variability in individual risk factors for alcohol use could help mitigate risk by informing personalized approaches to prevention. This study examined the validity of a brief measure for identifying reward/relief drinking phenotypes in non-treatment-seeking young adults.MethodsCollege students (n = 454) who reported binge drinking completed the Drinking Motives Questionnaire-Revised-Short Form (DMQ-R-SF). Confirmatory factor and latent profile analyses (CFA; LPA) of the DMQ-R-SF were performed to assess structural validity and identify reward/relief drinking subgroups. We compared models measuring reward drinking with the DMQ-R-SF enhancement motives (reward-enhancement) subscale to models measuring reward drinking with enhancement and social motives (reward-enhancement/social). Across models, relief drinking was measured with coping motives. We examined associations between reward/relief drinking subgroups and alcohol and personality variables concurrently and prospectively at a 6-week follow-up.ResultsA two-factor reward and relief structure of the DMQ-R-SF was supported. Three latent profiles were identified (low reward/low relief: n = 133, high reward/low relief: n = 249; high reward/high relief: n = 72). Both CFA and LPA models that utilized reward-enhancement/social items indicated a better fit than reward-enhancement items alone. At baseline, individuals in the high-reward/high-relief profile demonstrated the poorest alcohol use outcomes and higher negative affect. Those in the high-reward/low-relief profile demonstrated greater alcohol use severity than those in the low-reward/low-relief profile. Prospectively, individuals classified in the high-reward/low-relief subgroup reported greater binge drinking frequency and those in the high-reward/high-relief profile reported greater alcohol consequences.ConclusionsThe DMQ-R-SF is a valid measure for identifying reward and relief drinking subgroups in college students with binge drinking and could have utility for precision prevention efforts that target individuals in the high-reward/low-relief and high-reward/high-relief subgroups.