Alcohol Consumption and Negative Sex-Related Consequences among College Women: The Moderating Role of Alcohol Protective Behavioral Strategies

Abstract

Alcohol protective behavioral strategies (PBS) limit overall negative consequences; however, less is known about the relationship between PBS and negative sex-related consequences. The purpose of the current study was to examine the moderating effects of 2 distinct types of PBS-controlled consumption strategies and serious harm reduction strategies-on the relationship between alcohol consumption and alcohol-related risky sexual behavior and sexual victimization. Participants were 459 undergraduate women (ages 18-25) who had consumed alcohol within the past 30 days. Both types of PBS significantly qualified the alcohol-sexual victimization link, but neither type of PBS qualified the alcohol-risky sexual behavior link.

Protective Behavioral Strategies and Alcohol Use Outcomes Among College Women Drinkers

“…The reliability and validity of scores on the PBSS-r has been demonstrated among college student drinkers (Madson et al., 2013a). Specifically, increased PBS use has been found to be associated with decreases in alcohol consumption, harmful drinking, and alcohol-related negative consequences (Madson et al., 2013a; Moorer, et al., 2013; Villarosa et al., 2014a; Villarosa, et al., 2014b) For the present sample, the internal consistency was excellent (α = .92)…”

“…consequences (Borden et al, 2011;Madson, Moorer, Zeigler-Hill, Bonnell, & Villarosa, 2013b;Martens et al, 2011;Pearson, 2013), as well as specific consequences like unwanted sexual experiences (Moorer, Madson, Mohn, & Nicholson, 2013) and that addressing PBS as part of brief alcohol interventions with college students contributes to their effectiveness (Barnett, Murphy, Colby, & Monti, 2007;Larimer et al, 2007;Murphy et al, 2012). Moreover, evidence is emerging that the efficacy of PBS may vary depending on students' mental and social health status (LaBrie, Kenny, Lac, Garcia, & Ferriaiolo, 2009).…”

“…These strategies include behaviors aimed at directly managing intake of alcohol or controlling consumption such as avoiding drinking games, having a set number of drinks, and alternating alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks as well as indirect behaviors such as using a designated driver, knowing what is in your drink and going home with a friend (DeMartini et al., 2013; Pearson, D’Lima, & Kelley, 2013). The value of PBS as a harm reduction approach with college students has been demonstrated through findings that increased use of PBS is linked with fewer general alcohol-related negative consequences (Borden et al., 2011; Madson, Moorer, Zeigler-Hill, Bonnell, & Villarosa, 2013b; Martens et al., 2011; Pearson, 2013), as well as specific consequences like unwanted sexual experiences (Moorer, Madson, Mohn, & Nicholson, 2013) and that addressing PBS as part of brief alcohol interventions with college students contributes to their effectiveness (Barnett, Murphy, Colby, & Monti, 2007; Larimer et al., 2007; Murphy et al., 2012). Moreover, evidence is emerging that the efficacy of PBS may vary depending on students’ mental and social health status (LaBrie, Kenny, Lac, Garcia, & Ferriaiolo, 2009).…”

Harmful alcohol use and alcohol-related sex expectancies as predictors of risky sex among african american female college drinkers

“…Previous research has established that college women engage in risky sexual behavior (Caldeira et al, 2009; Messman-Moore, Ward, & DeNardi, 2013; Moorer, Madson, Mohn, & Nicholson, 2014). However, the underrepresentation of African American college women in previous empirical studies presents possible issues associated with generalizability, thus limiting prevention and intervention.…”

Estratégias de redução de danos em estudantes universitários que fazem uso de drogas

“…homem usar de força para fazer sexo, interpretar erroneamente o interesse da mulher em fazer sexo), mas não se mostram tão eficazes em relação a episódios de comportamento sexual de risco (ex. não usar proteção, fazer sexo com alguém que normalmente não faria) conforme afirmam Moorer et al, (2013). O mesmo estudo também indica que as mulheres universitárias tendem a utilizar muito mais as estratégias de redução de danos do que as voltadas para controle de consumo, ressaltando a importância dessas estratégias na moderação da relação de uso.…”