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

Abstract

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.

Keywords:

• Perceived discrimination
• protective behavioral strategies
• alcohol-related problems
• Hispanics
• college students

Declarations of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.