A mixed‐methods approach to improve the measurement of alcohol‐induced blackouts: ABOM‐2

Abstract

Background Alcohol‐induced blackouts describe memory loss resulting from alcohol consumption. Approximately half of college students report experiencing a blackout in their lifetime. Blackouts are associated with an increased risk for negative consequences, including serious injury. Research has documented two types of blackouts, en bloc (EB) and fragmentary (FB). However, research is limited by the lack of a validated measure that differentiates between these two forms of blackout. This study used a mixed‐methods approach to improve the assessment of FB and EB among young adults. Specifically, we sought to improve the existing Alcohol‐Induced Blackout Measure (ABOM), which was derived from a relatively small pool of items that did not distinguish FB from EB. Methods Study 1 used three rounds of cognitive interviewing with U.S. college students (N = 31) to refine existing assessment items. Nineteen refined blackout items were retained for Study 2. Study 2 used face validity, factor analysis, item response theory, and external validation analyses to test the two‐factor blackout model among U.S. heavy‐drinking college students (N = 474) and to develop and validate a new blackout measure (ABOM‐2). Results Iterative factor analyses demonstrated that the items were well represented by correlated EB and FB factors, consistent with our hypothesis. External validation analyses demonstrated convergent and discriminant validity. These analyses also provided preliminary evidence for the two factors having differential predictive validity (e.g., FB correlated with enhancement drinking motives, while EB correlated with coping and conformity motives). Conclusions The Alcohol‐Induced Blackout Measure‐2 (ABOM‐2) improves the measurement of blackout experiences among college students. Its use could facilitate the examination of EB and FB as differential predictors of alcohol‐related outcomes in future studies.

Does it really matter that I do not remember my night? Consequences related to blacking out among college student drinkers

“…Each drinking day, students were asked if they experienced an AIB with the item, “I had a blackout (i.e., could not remember hours at a time)” from the Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire (YAACQ; Read et al, 2006). This item corresponds most closely to an en bloc AIB (Boness et al, 2022). A total of 576 AIBs were reported (1.25 AIBs per person, on average; SD = 2.08).…”

“…The two types of AIBs likely result in differing levels of harm, so this distinction should be considered in future research. Boness et al (2022) indicate a stronger association between fragmentary AIBs and ARCs than between en bloc AIBs and ARCs. Since we only measured en bloc AIBs, it is likely that the current findings represent an underestimation of the excess harm which occurs on AIB nights.…”

“…We were also not able to distinguish between types of AIBs (i.e., en bloc vs. fragmentary). The question used to assess AIBs in this study (i.e., could not remember hours at a time) maps most closely to an en bloc AIB (Boness et al, 2022). The two types of AIBs likely result in differing levels of harm, so this distinction should be considered in future research.…”

Transdermal alcohol concentration features predict alcohol‐induced blackouts in college students

“…The Alcohol-Induced Blackout Measure-2 (ABOM-2; Boness et al, 2022 ) was used to assess whether students experienced a fragmentary or en bloc AIB each night they reported drinking. Students were asked, “As a result of drinking yesterday, did you/were you ______” Response options were dichotomous with “No” (0) and “Yes” (1).…”

Associations between posting about alcohol on social networking sites and alcohol-induced blackouts in a sample of young adults not in 4-year college.

“…Past 30-day blackouts were assessed with the eight-item Alcoholinduced Blackout Measure-2 (ABOM-2); evidence of convergent and discriminant validity of this measure has been previously demonstrated (Boness et al, 2022). The questionnaire assesses various types of memory loss ranging in severity (e.g., unable to remember a few minutes of what happened, wake up with no idea where you had been or what you had done after a certain point).…”