THE EFFECT OF QUESTION STRUCTURE ON SELF-REPORTS OF HEAVY DRINKING - CLOSED-ENDED VERSUS OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS

Objective. We compared open-ended versus closed-ended questions on the frequency of consuming five or more drinks in a single sitting. Metho d: From a general population survey of Ontario adults (N = 2,022, 62% male), we analyzed a subsample of 649 respondents who reported drinkin g five or more drinks in a single sitting at least once in the past ye ar. Differences in agreement between the two questions tions and rates of missing data were evaluated. Results. For the most part the two me asures were not consistent, with the closed-ended question eliciting h igher rates of heavier drinking. Rates of missing data were also highe r for the open-ended question. Conclusions: Open-ended question may no t necessarily be more suitable than closed-ended questions for estimat ing the frequency of heavy alcohol use.