Development and validation of the Alcohol Identity Implicit Associations Test (AI-IAT)

Alcohol identity is the extent to which an individual perceives drinking alcohol to be a defining characteristic of his or her self-identity. Although alcohol identity might play an important role in risky college drinking practices, there is currently no easily administered, implicit measure of this concept. Therefore we developed a computerized implicit measure of alcohol identity (the Alcohol Identity Implicit Associations Test; AI-IAT) and assessed its reliability and predictive validity in relation to risky college drinking practices. One hundred forty-one college students completed the AI-IAT. Again 3- and 6-months later, we administered the AI-IAT and indices of engagement in risky college drinking practices. A subset of participants also completed the previously-validated implicit measure of alcohol identity. Scores on the AI-IAT were stable over time, internally consistent, and positively correlated with the previously-validated measure of alcohol identity. Baseline AI-IAT scores predicted future engagement in risky college drinking practices, even after controlling for standard alcohol consumption measures. We conclude that the AI-IAT reliably measures alcohol identity, a concept that appears to play an important role in risky college drinking practices.

Research highlights
► We developed a computerized implicit measure of alcohol identity (the AI-IAT).
► We administered the AI-IAT to a sample of undergraduate students.
► Participants completed multiple assessments over the course of an academic year.
► The AI-IAT showed acceptable test–retest reliability and internal consistency.
► The AI-IAT showed moderate convergent, predictive, and incremental validity.