Assessing The Validity Of A Culturally Modified Drinking Motives Questionnaire For Use In Aboriginal Communities

Corresponding Author

David Tucker. Email: david.tucker@telethonkids.org.au

Authors

David Tucker, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; National Drug Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, AustraliaFollow
Martyn Symons, Telethon Kids InstituteFollow
Elaine Clifton, Telethon Kids InstituteFollow
Margaret Ramirez, Telethon Kids InstituteFollow
James P. Fitzpatrick, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; School of Psychology, The University of Western Australia, Perth, AustraliaFollow
Roz Walker, University of Western Australia, Perth, AustraliaFollow
Glenn Pearson, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, AustraliaFollow
Michelle Gray, Telethon Kids InstituteFollow
Gary Kirby, Mental Health CommissionFollow
Nyanda McBride, Curtin University, Perth, AustraliaFollow

Abstract

Alcohol related harms disproportionately affect Aboriginal people in Australia. Motives to drink have been identified as the most proximal factor to alcohol consumption.The aim of this study is to assess the validity of a culturally modified Drinking Motives Questionnaire-Revised (DMQ-R) (Cooper, 1994) with Aboriginal participants. The study was cross sectional, utilising data collected via face-to-face surveys with a sample of adult Aboriginal participants. A convenience sample of 135 Aboriginal men (n=41) and women (n=94) from the Pilbara Region of Western Australia, who had consumed alcohol in the preceding 12 months. The Culturally modified DMQ-R (CDMQ-R) developed in consultation with Aboriginal community researchers and a local Aboriginal Community Reference Group was the primary outcome measure for this study. Confirmatory Factor Analysis indicated the four-factor model of drinking motives as measured by a culturally modified DMQ-R was valid for use with Aboriginal people of the Pilbara region. While most items loaded on the factor solution as hypothesised, there were some minor discrepancies which suggest further modification may be needed. In addition, the reduction of the original five-point scale to a three-point scale created statistical challenges. Future research might seek to further refine the DMQ-R for this population and determine an appropriate method for expanding the response scale incorporating advice from Aboriginal people.

Recommended Citation

Tucker, David; Symons, Martyn; Clifton, Elaine; Ramirez, Margaret; Fitzpatrick, James P.; Walker, Roz; Pearson, Glenn; Gray, Michelle; Kirby, Gary; and McBride, Nyanda (2022) "Assessing The Validity Of A Culturally Modified Drinking Motives Questionnaire For Use In Aboriginal Communities," Journal of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet: Vol. 3 : Iss. 4 , Article 3.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14221/aihjournal.v3n4.3
Available at: https://ro.ecu.edu.au/aihjournal/vol3/iss4/3