Longitudinal examination of a refined four-factor model of Protective Behavioural Strategies: Psychosocial barriers to their use and protective effects on students' alcohol consumption.

OBJECTIVE

Protective Behavioral Strategies (PBS) are cognitive-behavioural strategies that are promising to reduce risky alcohol consumption among students. This research investigates 1) the role of psychosocial determinants of drinking (motives and perceived social norms) as potential barriers to their use, and 2) the protective value of the four‑PBS against risky consumption.

METHODS

Two longitudinal studies (two-waves, one-year interval) in French university students were conducted. Latent Change Score Model (N = 164) tested how changes in psychosocial determinants were related to within-person changes in four PBS use. Cross-Lagged Panel Model (N = 188) examined reciprocal associations between each PBS and typical drinking quantity.

RESULTS

Firstly, modifying the manner of drinking strategy (MOD; i.e., inhibiting risky drinking) showed the largest within-person change over one year, increasing as students grew older and decreased in social motives. Secondly, higher MOD use was consistently associated with fewer drinks per occasion, whereas other PBS domains showed mainly same-wave links with drinking. Prior drinking also strongly predicted later consumption, indicating that MOD operates as a protective factor beyond the relative stability of students' drinking patterns.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings highlight MOD strategy as a priority target for reducing student alcohol consumption. Strengthening MOD may help reduce typical number of drinks, but interventions must also tackle social drinking motives that discourage its use. Student-focused prevention programmes could therefore prioritise presenting MOD as socially acceptable and compatible with enjoyable nights out, helping students to preserve social connection and pleasure while shifting towards safer, more sustainable patterns of alcohol use.