Sex Differences in the Association Between Drinking Motives, Protective Behavioral Strategies, and Alcohol Outcomes in a Hazardous Drinking College Sample.

BACKGROUND

Drinking motives and protective behavioral strategies have been shown to impact the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption in young adults, including college students who are at high risk for hazardous drinking. However, how men and women employ different protective behavioral strategies with respect to their drinking motives, and whether these impact drinking patterns differentially, are currently understudied.

METHODS

Data from 109 college students with hazardous drinking patterns were analyzed to examine effects of drinking motives, protective behavioral strategies, sex, and their interactions on four different drinking outcomes.

RESULTS

Men reported significantly higher values for drinks, drinking days, drinks per drinking day, and enhancement-related drinking motives. Women had significantly higher values for harm reduction-related protective behavioral strategies. Linear regression analyses demonstrated significant 2- or 3-way interactions in three of the four alcohol outcomes we examined. In addition, all but one of these interactions included sex.

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight the importance of examining sex differences in alcohol-related behaviors, cognitions, and outcomes among college students and demonstrate the nuance and complexity of such alcohol-related factors. As such, findings from the current study may inform the development of more targeted alcohol use prevention and interventions efforts on college campuses.