Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire tension reduction scale as a predictor of alcohol consumption in a stressful situation

This study was designed as an experimental investigation of the validity of the tension reduction subscale of the Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire (AEQ) (Brown, Goldman, Inn, & Anderson, 1980). Subjects completed the AEQ in group testing. At a later time, they were placed in a moderate-stress or nonstress control situation, and given the opportunity to consume alcohol or a nonalcoholic beverage. The tension reduction scale did not predict whether they drank or not, nor did it predict the amount of alcohol consumed. Results suggest caution in interpreting the tension reduction scale scores, and that further study of the validity of the tension reduction and other AEQ scales is necessary.