Table of Contents
Description
The Drinking Motive Questionnaire (DMQ) developed by Cooper in 1994 is a psychological instrument designed to assess the varied motives behind alcohol consumption among individuals. Utilizing a comprehensive series of statements, this questionnaire helps to categorize participants’ drinking behaviors into distinct motivational factors, providing valuable insights into the reasons that drive individuals to consume alcohol. The DMQ is particularly useful for understanding the social, emotional, and situational contexts of drinking, which can have implications for research, clinical practice, and interventions aimed at addressing alcohol use.
Authors and Contact Email
M. L. Cooper
Purpose
The primary purpose of the DMQ is to identify and categorize the different motivations for alcohol use among individuals, focusing on enhancement, social, conformity, and coping motives.
Test Year
1994
Administration Method and Scoring
The DMQ can be administered in both self-report and interview formats. Participants respond to a series of items related to their drinking motives, rated on a scale from 1 (never) to 6 (almost always).
Reliability and Validity
The DMQ has undergone thorough validation and reliability testing, demonstrating robust psychometric properties across various populations. Studies have confirmed the scale’s reliability and its validity in accurately capturing the multifaceted motivations for drinking behavior.
Factors and Subscales
The DMQ is divided into four main motivational factors:
– Enhancement: Items related to enjoyment and positive feelings from drinking (Items: 7, 9, 10, 13, 18).
– Social: Items that reflect the role of drinking in social contexts and interactions (Items: 3, 5, 11, 14, 16).
– Conformity: Items that involve social influence and peer pressure (Items: 2, 8, 12, 19, 20).
– Coping: Items related to using alcohol to deal with emotions or problems (Items: 1, 4, 6, 15, 17).
Keywords
Drinking Motive Questionnaire, alcohol consumption, motivation, psychological assessment, therapeutic intervention.
Items of ‘Drinking Motive Questionnaire’
1. To forget your worries.
2. Because your friends pressure you to drink.
3. Because it helps you enjoy a party.
4. Because it helps you when you feel depressed or nervous.
5. To be sociable.
6. To cheer up when you are in a bad mood.
7. Because you like the feeling.
8. So that others won’t kid you about not drinking.
9. Because it’s exciting.
10. To get high.
11. Because it makes social gatherings more fun.
12. To fit in with a group you like.
13. Because it gives you a pleasant feeling.
14. Because it improves parties and celebrations.
15. Because you feel more self-confident and sure of yourself.
16. To celebrate a special occasion with friends.
17. To forget about your problems.
18. Because it’s fun.
19. To be liked.
20. So you won’t feel left out.
References
– Cooper, M. L. (1994). Motivations for Alcohol Use Among Adolescents: Development and Validation of a Four-Factor Model. Psychological Assessment, 6(2), 117-128.
– Kuntsche, E., Knibbe, R., Gmel, G., & Engels, R. (2006). Replication and Validation of the Drinking Motive Questionnaire Revised (DMQ-R, Cooper, 1994) among Adolescents in Switzerland. European Addiction Research, 12, 161-168.
– Kuntsche, E., & Kuntsche, S. (2009). Development and validation of the Drinking Motive Questionnaire Revised Short Form (DMQ-R SF). Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 38, 899-908.
– Gilson, K.-M., Bryant, C., Bei, B., Komiti, A., Jackson, H., & Judd, F. (2013). Validation of the Drinking Motives Questionnaire (DMQ) in older adults. Addictive Behaviors (2013), doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.01.021.
– This instrument can be found at: https://www.psytoolkit.org/survey-library/alcohol-dmq-r.html
– Additional information available at: https://scales.arabpsychology.com/s/drinking-motive-questionnaire-dmq/