Sensation seeking and adolescent drinking: Do protective behavioral strategies lower risk?

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Abstract
Using a cross-sectional design, we examined protective behavioral strategies (PBS) as a moderator of the relationship between sensation seeking and hazardous drinking and alcohol-related consequences among high school seniors (N = 212). Hierarchical regression analyses indicated sensation seeking was a significant predictor of binge drinking (beta = 0.65, p < 0.001), prepartying (beta = 0.71, p < 0.001), gaming (beta = 0.75, p < 0.001), and alcohol-related consequences (beta = 0.69, p < 0.001). Further, PBS moderated these relationships such that among high sensation seeking adolescents, PBS use was associated with better outcomes, including lower levels of binge drinking (beta = -0.37, p < 0.01), prepartying (beta = -0.44, p < 0.01), gaming (beta = -0.31, p < 0.05), and alcohol-related consequences (beta = -0.53, p < 0.001). We discuss counseling implications, including assessment and harm reduction strategies focusing on PBS to reduce hazardous drinking among high sensation seeking adolescents.
Funding Information
  • National Institutes of Health (R21AA023880)

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