A confirmed factor structure for the biphasic alcohol effects scale

This study of the Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale (BAES) examined the factor structure of subjective stimulant and sedative effects on the ascending and descending limbs of the blood alcohol curve. Eighty men reported their subjective responses after consuming 0.5 or 0.8 grams ethanol/kilogram of body weight. The proposed four-factor model of stimulant and sedative effects on the ascending and descending limbs fit the data significantly better than alternative models. This confirmable structure suggests that the scale assesses discernable alcohol-induced changes in stimulation and sedation that vary with dosage and the limb of the blood alcohol curve. No other measure of alcohol-induced subjective effects has a confirmed factor structure. Stimulant and sedative effects varied with dosage and correlated significantly with ratings of intoxication, suggesting that monitoring these responses may help individuals regulate their drinking.