Drinking Motives, Negative Consequences, and Protective Behavioral Strategies in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender College Students

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students engage in heavy episodic drinking more frequently than their heterosexual peers. However, there is currently no research on protective behavioral strategies (PBS) or alcohol motives with this population. This study explored the degree to which PBS mediated the relationship between five drinking motives and negative consequences among 143 LGBT college student drinkers. PBS partially mediated the relationship enhancement motives and coping with depression motives had with negative consequences. Clinical and research implications are discussed.