Scale-Description

The College Alcohol Problems Scale – Revised (CAPS-r) is a psychometric tool designed to assess problems related to alcohol consumption among college students. It consists of two subscales: one that measures personal problems and one that evaluates the social consequences resulting from alcohol use. The revised version aims to provide a more accurate assessment of alcohol-related problems, considering the specific characteristics of the student population.

Data Analysis and Usage

The analysis of CAPS-r data involves statistical methods such as factor analysis to evaluate the validity and reliability of the scale. Participants respond to various items on a Likert scale, ranging from “never” to “very often,” and their answers are used to assess both personal impacts and social consequences of alcohol consumption. This scale quantitatively examines the effects of excessive alcohol consumption in a college setting, such as poor academic performance, physical health issues, conflicts in social relationships, and risky behaviors.

CAPS-r data is used to help researchers and health professionals understand the range of problems caused by alcohol consumption among college students. This tool can be used for:

Developing prevention programs aimed at reducing alcohol consumption and its consequences.

Evaluating the effectiveness of interventions designed to reduce alcohol use and address related problems.

Conducting research studies that investigate risk factors and consequences of excessive alcohol consumption in the college population.

Purpose

The objective of the CAPS-r is to provide an accurate estimate of the alcohol-related problems among the college population. It allows researchers and professionals to:

Assess the impact of alcohol consumption on both personal and social aspects of students’ lives.

Track changes in problem levels following intervention programs.

Identify individuals at higher risk of experiencing alcohol-related issues.

Calibration

CAPS-r calibration is conducted by evaluating participants’ responses to each item on the scale. Higher scores correspond to more severe alcohol-related problems. The scale is scored separately for personal and social consequences. Validity and reliability tests are often used to ensure that the scale effectively measures the two dimensions it aims to assess.

Bibliography

Maddock, J. E., & Laforge, R. G. (2001). Development and validation of the College Alcohol Problems Scale. Journal of Substance Abuse, 13(3), 383-396.

Wechsler, H., Davenport, A., Dowdall, G., Moeykens, B., & Castillo, S. (1994). Health and behavioral consequences of binge drinking in college: A national survey of students at 140 campuses. JAMA, 272(21), 1672-1677.