Precautionary Behavior and Violent Victimization: Do Safer Drinking Strategies Reduce Risk?

Abstract

This study was undertaken to test if precautionary drinking behaviors can be associated with reduced risk of violent victimization. Some studies have shown that these behaviors (e.g. limiting alcohol intake, eating before or during drinking, and having friends close by) reduce the negative consequences of drinking, but very few have focused on criminal victimization. National College Health Assessment data from 2012¹ were utilized to examine the association between precautionary drinking behavior and violent victimization (physical assault or verbal threat), controlling for demographic and risky lifestyle factors. Regression analyses found that precautionary drinking behavior reduced the odds of victimization only among men who frequently drink. In this same group being “single” increased risk. Other variables were consistent predictors: drug use, multiple sex partners, mental health disorder, and first year student status. Binge drinking and having a disability were also frequent predictors. Finally, Black women but not men were more likely to be victimized. These results suggest that the risky or protective nature of types of drinking behaviors is gendered and taking precautions is especially important for men who drink frequently.

Keywords:

• precautionary drinking
• violent victimization

Notes

1. The opinions, findings, and conclusions presented in this article are those of the authors, and are in no way meant to represent the corporate opinions, views, or policies of the American College Health Association (ACHA). ACHA does not warrant nor assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information presented in this article.

2. To explore the validity of combining the two items into one variable, logistic regression analyses were also performed separately on physical assault and verbal threat. The results were substantively the same, especially regarding the significance of precautionary drinking behavior, suggesting that the influence of precautionary drinking is similar for the two and that they are part of a larger construct.

3. Further, variance inflation factors for regression models indicate no problems with multicollinearity (all VIFs were under 2.0)

4. The tables also include pseudo R-squares which are rather small. However, this does not mean that the models are inefficient, as pseudo R-squares should not be interpreted as the percentage of variance explained.