Unique Direct and Indirect Effects of Impulsivity-Like Traits on Alcohol-Related Outcomes via Protective Behavioral Strategies

Abstract

In the present study, we examined whether the use of protective behavioral strategies (PBS) mediates the effects of impulsivity-like traits on alcohol-related problems using a sample of 278 college students. Validating the 5-factor model of impulsivity, we showed that each impulsivity-like trait had a distinct pattern of relationships with PBS and/or alcohol outcomes. Further validating the 3-factor model of PBS (Limiting/Stopping Drinking, Manner of Drinking, and Serious Harm Reduction), we found that each type of PBS had unique antecedents (i.e., predicted by different impulsivity-like traits) and unique prediction (i.e., predicted alcohol use/problems differently). We discuss the implications of findings for the study of etiology of alcohol misuse as well as for intervention development.