To investigate mode effects (telephone versus face-to-face) on reports of alcohol use and alcohol-related harm, a follow-up study of a subsample of respondents to the 1995 National Alcohol Survey was conducted. Data were obtained from the 1995 National Alcohol Survey (face-to-face interviews) and a telephone followup of 1,047 respondents. Measures of alcohol consumption (volume and days 5+ drinks), alcohol-related harm, and alcohol dependence (last 12 months) were obtained. Eighteen percent (189/1047) shifted their drinking status between interviews. Most of these respondents (82%) were originally categorized as non-drinkers, but reported current drinking at followup. For respondents who were current drinkers both times (n=587), reports of alcohol consumption, alcohol-related harm, and alcohol dependence in the last 12 months did not differ by mode. These findings provide additional evidence that estimates of alcohol-related behaviors can be reliably obtained by telephone. The substantial shift of non-drinker to drinker categories was primarily concentrated among non-drinkers at the initial interview who had reported drinking less than once in the last year. This does not necessarily mean that the respondent did not drink at all during the last 12 months, and some variation is possible between surveys because the time period was not well specified in the question. Thus, for our next national survey, we included an item that specifically asks infrequent drinkers when they had their last drink which will hopefully improve our categorization of drinking status early on in the survey.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant in this session should be able to: 1. Define possible bias by mode of administration in large surveys, and 2. Understand the priorities in selecting specific modes for large surveys
Keywords: Alcohol, Methodology
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.