Alcohol consumption outcome expectancy questionnaire: psychometric validation in Ecuadorian university students

Background Excessive alcohol consumption is a major public health issue among young adults in Latin America. The Questionnaire of Alcohol Consumption Outcome Expectations (CERCA) was developed to assess beliefs related to drinking, but its validity in different sociocultural contexts remains underexplored. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 685 students from a public university in Ecuador, selected through stratified random sampling by sex. The CERCA instrument was applied, and both exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed. The EFA used principal axis factoring, and CFA was conducted using AMOS v.24, with standard fit indices. Results The EFA revealed a two-factor model—Emotional Well-being and Social Interaction—explaining 89.5% of the variance, with high internal consistency (α = .952; ω = .948). The CFA confirmed superior fit for the modified two-factor model, the Alcohol Consumption Expectancy Questionnaire (ACEQ), with CFI = .990, RMSEA = .031, and non-significant χ² (21.5, p = .064), outperforming the original three-factor model. No significant differences were found by sex, ethnicity, or living arrangement, though students from urban areas reported higher alcohol-related expectations. Conclusions The ACEQ demonstrates robust psychometric properties and provides a more parsimonious and culturally aligned structure than the original CERCA model. It offers a valid and reliable tool for assessing alcohol consumption expectations among Ecuadorian university students, supporting the development of targeted prevention strategies.