Psychometric Properties and Longitudinal Measurement Invariance of the Spanish Version of the Alcohol Expectancies Questionnaire Short Form among Young Adult Binge Drinkers

Background: Longitudinal Measurement Invariance (LMI) is critically important to evaluate changes in the alcohol expectancies over time. However, few studies have yet explored the longitudinal properties of the Spanish EQ-SF. Objectives: To examine the reliability, sources of validity (structural and concurrent validity), and LMI of the Spanish short version of the Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire in a sample of young adults who engage in binge drinking. Methods: The participants (n = 279; Mean age = 21.33, SD = 2.15; 48.4% female) completed the Spanish EQ-SF, and two months later they completed this measure again, along with measures to alcohol use, drinking motives, and protective behavioral strategies (PBS). Confirmatory Factor Analysis was used to identify which of two proposed models provided the best-fitting factor structure. We aimed to determine whether the best-fitting model was invariant across assessments and to evaluate the predictive validity and reliability of the scores. Results: Our findings revealed that the eight-factor intercorrelated model provided the best fit. This model was invariant across assessments, providing evidence for longitudinal measurement invariance. Moreover, the scores showed adequate reliability (.68 to .90) and predictive validity (i.e., positive alcohol expectancies were positively related to alcohol use and drinking motives and negatively related to PBS). Conclusion: Our results support the reliability, validity, and temporal invariance of the EQ-SF scores among Spanish young adults with binge drinking patterns. The evidence supports the suitability of this measure for accurately assessing changes in alcohol expectancies over time in interventions aimed at preventing binge drinking in young adults. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement This work was supported by the Consejeria de Salud (Junta de Andalucia, Andalucia, Spain) under Grant Number PI-0503-2018 (Principal Investigator: Fermin Fernandez Calderon). ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: Longitudinal research project (31) approved by the Regional Bioethics Research Committee of Andalusia (Consejeria de Sanidad, Government of Andalusia, Spain). I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes All data produced in the present study are available upon reasonable request to the authors