Operationalizing Drinking Identity from A Developmental Perspective: The Drinking Identity Management Scale (DIMS)

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe risk for alcohol misuse among emerging adults can increase by the development of a maladaptive identity structure. Recent research has shown that drinking identity serves as a risk factor for hazardous drinking. Despite this, existing measures have largely relied on unidimensional conceptualizations of drinking identity. Addressing this gap, the current study sought to develop and validate the Drinking Identity Management Scale (DIMS), a multidimensional measure of drinking identity development. The sample included 475 college students (78.1% women; Mage = 20.08 years; SD = 4.19 years). The results supported a multi-dimensional conceptualization of drinking identity consisting of exploration, commitment, compatibility, and endorsement. Additionally, drinking identity dimensions were associated with severity of alcohol use and related consequences. The current study provided preliminary evidence for the validity of the DIMS and highlights the need for future studies to capture the developmental processes underlying a drinking identity development.