Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2025

The Motivation for Alcohol Reward: Predictors of Progressive-Ratio Intravenous Alcohol Self-Administration in Humans
Published on: April 28, 2022
Discrimination, Drinking to Cope, Protective Behavioral Strategies, and Alcohol-Related Consequences Among University
Margeaux E Cannon1, Jessica L Martin1, Evan E Ozmat1
1Department of Educational & Counseling Psychology, School of Education, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York.
Objective:
University students who experience more discrimination typically report more negative consequences from alcohol use. The study aimed to assess whether drinking to cope and protective behavioral strategies for alcohol use would help explain the relationship between everyday discrimination and alcohol-related consequences among university student drinkers.
Method:
Data were collected in Fall 2020, and the sample included 707 undergraduate and graduate students from a large public institution in the Northeast who reported consuming alcohol in the past month. Participants identified predominantly as women (71.7%; 24.6% men) and White (65.1%; 7.9% Black/African American; 7.2% Asian/Asian American; 7.1% Hispanic/Latinx). A cross-sectional serial mediation analysis using structural equation modeling was conducted using Mplus.
Results:
When we controlled for alcohol use, results supported a serial partial mediation model. More experiences of discrimination predicted a significant increase in alcohol-related consequences, above and beyond the increase attributed to drinking to cope. More frequent use of protective behavioral strategies significantly increased the odds of reporting no alcohol-related consequences.
Conclusions:
Drinking to cope and protective behavioral strategies for alcohol use may help explain why university students who report frequent discrimination are more likely to experience alcohol-related consequences, independent of how much alcohol they consume. Findings can inform clinical and prevention practice, advocacy, and training.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
Cognitive Dissonance
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Coping Strategies: Problem Focused
For example, consider a student who struggles to understand their...

