Do students use contextual protective behaviors to reduce alcohol-related sexual risk? Examination of a dual-process decision-making model.

Abstract

Objective Recent studies suggest drinking protective behaviors (DPBs) and contextual protective behaviors (CPBs) can uniquely reduce alcohol-related sexual risk in college students. Few studies have examined CPBs independently, and even fewer have utilized theory to examine modifiable psychosocial predictors of students’ decisions to use CPBs. The current study used a prospective design to examine 1) rational and reactive pathways and psychosocial constructs predictive of CPB use, and 2) how gender might moderate these influences in a sample of college students. Method Students (n = 508) completed web-based baseline (mid-spring semester) and 1- and 6-month follow-up assessments of CPB use; psychosocial constructs (expectancies, normative beliefs, attitudes, and self-concept); and rational and reactive pathways (intentions and willingness). Regression was used to examine rational and reactive influences as proximal predictors of CPB use at the 6-month follow-up. Subsequent path analyses examined the effects of psychosocial constructs, as distal predictors of CPB use, mediated through the rational and reactive pathways. Results Both rational (intentions to use CPB) and reactive (willingness to use CPB) influences were significantly associated with increased CPB use. The examined distal predictors were found to effect CPB use differentially through the rational and reactive pathways. Gender did not significantly moderate any relationships within in the model. Discussion Findings suggest potential entry points for increasing CPB use that include both rational and reactive pathways. Overall, this study demonstrates the mechanisms underlying how to increase the use of CPBs in programs designed to reduce alcohol-related sexual consequences and victimization.

Examining the effects of drinking and interpersonal protective behaviors on unwanted sexual experiences in college women

“…Alcohol-based interventions primarily focus on strategies to reduce drinking but generally do not directly address contextual risk factors inherent in drinking situations (Scaglione et al, 2015). As a result, no single approach has been successful at reducing alcohol-related sexual consequences and unwanted sex (Larimer & Cronce, 2007; Mallett, Marzell, & Turrisi, 2011).…”

“…As a result, no single approach has been successful at reducing alcohol-related sexual consequences and unwanted sex (Larimer & Cronce, 2007; Mallett, Marzell, & Turrisi, 2011). Recent evidence suggests interpersonal protective behaviors (IPBs), because they are more inclined to address contextual factors (Scaglione et al, 2015), may be an effective tool for reducing alcohol-related sexual consequences (Mallett et al, 2015). What remains unclear is whether their efficacy depends on the specific sexual consequence and specific IPB examined, and to what extent IPBs attenuate the association between risky drinking and the specific sexual consequence.…”

“…After leaving the party, she may call a taxi. Previous work has generally not distinguished between different types of PBs, but several studies have indicated the benefits of classifying PBs into alcohol-based PBs (APBs) and interpersonal PBs (IPBs; Mallett et al, 2015; Scaglione et al, 2015). APBs focus on controlling alcohol intake (e.g., pacing and limiting drinks), whereas IPBs are socially based, non-drinking strategies (e.g., walking home with a friend).…”

A Longitudinal Examination of Decisions to Ride and Decline Rides with Drinking Drivers

“…The TRA suggests behavior is a function of both intentions/plans and social influences (e.g., norms). The PWM has a large literature suggesting behavior is a function of both reactive (willingness to engage in the behavior) and reasoned influences (active intentions to engage in a behavior) (Gibbons et al., , ; Mallett et al., ; Scaglione et al., ). Drawing from both theoretical approaches, Hultgren and colleagues () examined willingness and intentions to RWDD as predictors of RWDD in a sample of college students using a longitudinal design.…”

An examination of heavy drinking, depressed mood, drinking related constructs, and consequences among high-risk college students using a person-centered approach

“…Previous work in this area has been primarily variable centered (Paljarvi et al, 2009) and has focused on a limited number of constructs at a time (i.e., 1–2). Alternatively, person-centered approaches such as Latent Profile Analysis allows for the simultaneous examination of the relationship between multiple indicators in order to identify similar patterns and groups of individuals that may be at a particular risk (Mallett et al, 2015; Scaglione, et al, 2015; Varvil-Weld, Mallett, Turrisi, & Abar, 2012; Varvil-Weld, Mallett, Turrisi, Cleveland, & Abar, 2013). These profiles also offer insight into key variables that influence behaviors of interest (i.e., risky drinking, experiencing harmful consequences, etc.)…”