Bystander assessments for hazardous alcohol use: Qualitative methods for item development informed by bystander theory.

Abstract

Objective: Dissemination of methods for developing psychometric instruments is essential for the production of high-quality research. This article describes a multistep process used to conduct the qualitative phase in the development of a battery of measures related to bystander behavior for hazardous alcohol use among young adults. Method: Qualitative methods were used to inform the content and wording of developed items to be relevant to young adults' lived experiences. First, focus groups (eight groups; N = 60) used multiple approaches to revise items on available bystander measures from the interpersonal violence prevention literature and to create new items relevant for hazardous drinking situations. Thematic analysis of focus group transcripts yielded several themes within identified categories of signs (i.e., exposure to hazardous drinking), strategies, barriers, facilitators, positive consequences, and negative consequences. Following item development and revision by a team of content experts, cognitive interviews (N = 20) ensured clarity of instructions, items, and response options. Results: This qualitative work yielded item sets that are ready to move on to administration for quantitative psychometric validation. We used a rigorous qualitative approach to ensure constructs, items, and eventual measures accurately reflect the experience of witnesses to hazardous drinking among others. Conclusions: Generated item sets will facilitate research applying bystander intervention to alcohol-related harm. Qualitative methods described herein should be useful for researchers applying existing frameworks to new areas and themes identified from this work will facilitate research focused on bystander intervention to prevent alcohol-related harms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).