Protective behavioral strategies are more helpful for avoiding alcohol-related problems for college drinkers who drink less

Objective To examine race, gender, and alcohol use level as moderators of the association between protective behavioral strategies (PBS) and alcohol-related problems.Participants:A sample of 12,011 participants who reported recent drinking (87.7% White, 61% Women) from Project INTEGRATE, a study that combined individual participant data (IPD) from 24 brief motivational intervention trials for college students.Methods:Hierarchical regressions were conducted to determine whether there was a moderated effect of PBS on alcohol problems across alcohol use levels, and whether the moderated protective effect of PBS by alcohol use differed by gender and race.Results:The protective association between PBS and alcohol-related problems was greater for those who drank less. This moderated effect did not differ across men and women or across racial groups.Conclusions:College drinking prevention programs should ensure that students are aware of the limits of PBS as a mitigator of alcohol problems.