Survey Inconsistencies and Interpretation of Alcohol Questions in Young Adults of Argentina

Abstract

Aim: Alcohol consumption and related problems exhibit variations during early vs. late adulthood, seemingly without intervention. A proposed thesis is that inexperience in alcohol may lead to inconsistencies and misinterpretation of alcohol questions in youth. We aimed to analyse the inconsistencies and the perception of alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems questions by comparing those with 25 years or less and more than 25 years, and by sex. Subjects and Methods: Inconsistencies in alcohol survey reports were assessed with a cluster sampling of N = 1030. In contrast, we evaluated the interpretation of inconsistent responses with a purposive sample of N = 51 university students between 18 and 30 years. Bivariate analysis for inconsistencies and agreement measures for misinterpretation categories were performed. Results: Quantity-frequency inconsistencies had a low prevalence (less than 3 %) and no differences among groups. There were differences in hazardous use, tolerance, larger or longer use than intended, withdrawal, drinking despite an underlying illness, and role impairment. Sex differences were detected among larger or longer use than intended, much time spent using, reducing activities to use, interpersonal problems, and role impairment. Nearly 18 % understood that not drinking alcohol was to drink little frequency or quantity. Half of them had incorrect interpretations of alcohol-related problems. Only those under 25 misinterpreted the tolerance criteria. Conclusion: We observed that young people use other people’s experiences to answer alcohol use and related problems. When they use their own experience, the answers might be more accurate.