Planning limits or inhibiting risky alcohol consumption? Towards a deeper understanding of Protective Behavioral Strategies in students through factorial and latent profile analyses (2025)

Objective: Protective Behavioral Strategies (PBS) are cognitive-behavioral strategies that are promising to reduce risky alcohol consumption and binge drinking (BD) among students. This research investigates 1) the multidimensional nature of PBS by establishing a stable typology, assessing variations in PBS effectiveness, and 2) psychosocial risk factors influencing PBS use.
Methods: Two complementary studies were conducted among university students (NS1 = 1252; NS2 = 896). In both, factorial structure and gender invariance of PBS were tested. Study 1 used a variable-centered approach with multivariate regression models to assess the links between PBS types, drinking outcomes, and psychosocial determinants. Study 2 applied a person-centered approach, utilizing a latent profile analysis to identify distinct profiles of PBS users and non-users based and their characteristics in terms of PBS utilization, psychological determinants, and alcohol-related outcomes.
Results: Firstly, both studies confirmed the four-type PBS typology and demonstrated gender invariance. Secondly, certain PBS types, such as modification of drinking practices (MOD) and planning consumption limits (PLD), were the most protective against risky drinking behaviors but were the less utilized. Thirdly, profiles combining all four PBS types showed the lowest risk, though they comprise a minority of students. Fourthly, psychosocial determinants, particularly drinking identity, inhibited MOD and PLD use.
Conclusions: Findings highlight the value of a multidimensional PBS framework. Interventions should target diversity in PBS strategies and address psychosocial barriers to promote effective use, offering new insights for reducing excessive drinking among students. [Author's abstract]