Protective behavioral strategies and negative alcohol-related consequences in college students.
OBJECTIVE
Alcohol abuse among college students is associated with a quality of life burden. The current study replicated and extended previous research on protective behavioral strategies (PBS) by examining relationships between PBS use and negative alcohol-related consequences.


METHODS
A national sample of 29,792 U.S. college students who completed the National College Health Assessment during spring 2004 was included. Using a retrospective analysis of cross-sectional data, relationships between PBS use and negative alcohol-related consequences were examined.


RESULTS
Greater PBS use was associated with fewer negative alcohol-related consequences, while less frequent use of PBS was correlated with increased negative alcohol-related consequences.


CONCLUSIONS
The current study findings strongly support expanded educational alcohol-intervention programs promoting greater PBS use aimed at reducing or completely alleviating negative alcohol-related consequences (e.g., BASICS, ASTP). Future research should further investigate such PBS-based intervention programs, examine the existence of latent PBS, and study use of combined PBS.
Araas
Teresa E
TE
Arizona State University, USA. teresaaraas@sheridanhospital.org
Adams
Troy B
TB
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States; D014754:Violence