Perceived discrimination and alcohol-related problems among Hispanic college students: The protective role of serious harm reduction behaviors

The present study investigated the use of protective behavioral strategies (PBS) as moderators of the association between perceived discrimination and alcohol-related problems among Hispanic college students. Participants who were between 18 and 24 years of age (n = 379) completed self-report measures. The results showed that greater perceived discrimination was associated with less frequent PBS use, more problematic alcohol use, and more alcohol-related problems, while greater use of PBS types was associated with fewer alcohol-related problems. Furthermore, serious harm-reduction behaviors moderated the association between perceived discrimination and alcohol-related problems. The findings suggest that serious harm-reduction behaviors may protect against the negative effects of perceived discrimination on alcohol-related problems among Hispanic college students.

Automated summary

This study investigates the role of protective behavioral strategies (PBS) in the association between perceived discrimination and alcohol-related problems among Hispanic college students. The findings suggest that greater perceived discrimination is associated with more frequent alcohol use and more alcohol-related problems, while greater use of PBS is associated with fewer alcohol-related problems. Additionally, serious harm-reduction behaviors moderate the association between perceived discrimination and alcohol-related problems, providing protection for Hispanic college students against the negative effects of perceived discrimination.