The aim of the study is to validate the four-dimensional structure of the Drinking Motive Questionnaire Revised Short Form (DMQ-R SF) in a sample of Italian adolescents and to investigate associations of these motives with frequency of alcohol use and sensation seeking. The data were gathered through self-administered questionnaires in classrooms. The questionnaires were filled out by a representative sample of 2725 (56.4% males; mean age=16.2) 8th to 13th grade alcohol-using students. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation models were applied. The four-dimensional structure of the DMQ-R SF was confirmed in the general sample and among subgroups defined by gender and age. Furthermore, enhancement, social and coping motives were found to be positively related to sensation seeking and frequency of alcohol use. Conformity motives were negatively related to sensation seeking and frequency of alcohol use. The results are consistent with previous studies from other countries and indicate that the DMQR SF is a valid instrument to assess drinking motives among Italian adolescents and possibly among those from other Mediterranean countries.
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