title: Protective behaviors and high-risk drinking among entering college freshmen.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the use of protective behaviors to reduce risks associated with alcohol consumption among adolescents during the summer preceding college enrollment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Survey data were collected in fall 2006 and 2007 that assessed demographic characteristics, drinking behaviors, and use of protective behaviors in the 3 months preceding the survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Female participants reported using 4 out of 10 protective behaviors more often than did males, and using protective behaviors was significantly related to fewer negative drinking-related consequences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings highlight potential benefits of using protective behaviors and the need to promote effective behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. esutfin@wfubmc.edu
authors.forename: Erin L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Sutfin
authors.forename: Laney S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Light
authors.forename: Kimberly G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Wagoner
authors.forename: Thomas P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: McCoy
authors.forename: Martie P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Scott D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Rhodes
authors.forename: Hugh D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Spitler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D040261:Harm Reduction; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012309:Risk-Taking; D015144:Southeastern United States; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult