Validity of the Alcohol Purchase Task With United States Military Personnel

Public Health Significance This study extends current literature by identifying a measure that may be useful among a known high-risk population who may not be able to answer honestly about alcohol consumption and related risks due to risks to confidentiality or occupational consequences. The alcohol purchase task may allow for identification of at-risk individuals who may need prevention efforts to reduce alcohol-related risk. Alcohol use is common among military personnel. However, alcohol use and problems are challenging to measure because military personnel do not have similar levels of confidentiality as civilians and can face sanctions for reporting illegal behavior (e.g., underage drinking) or for drinking during prohibited times (e.g., during basic training). The current study aimed to determine if the use of the alcohol purchase task (APT), which has previously been associated with alcohol use and alcohol-related problems in civilian populations, is a valid measure of alcohol-related risk in the military when asking about alcohol consumption is less feasible. Participants were 26,231 Air Force airmen who completed surveys including questions about sensation seeking, alcohol expectancies, perception of peer drinking, intent to drink, and family history of alcohol misuse, which are known predictors of alcohol use, and the APT, from which demand indices of intensity and O-max were derived. Individuals who were single, male, White, and had a high school diploma/GED had higher intensity and O-max scores, and non-Hispanic individuals had higher intensity scores. Age was negatively correlated with intensity and O-max. Regressions were used to determine if intensity and O-max were associated with known predictors of alcohol use and risk. Intensity and O-max showed significant but small associations with all included predictors of alcohol consumption and alcohol risk. Effect sizes were larger for individuals ages 21+ compared to individuals under 21. Thus, this study provides initial support for the validity of the APT as an index of alcohol-related risk among military personnel.

Automated summary

This study expands current literature by using the alcohol purchase task (APT) to measure alcohol-related risk among military personnel. Compared to civilian populations, military personnel face greater challenges in terms of confidentiality, which may hinder their ability to answer honestly about alcohol consumption and related risks. The study findings suggest that APT can be a valid tool for identifying individuals in the military who are at risk for alcohol-related problems.