Pregaming and Harm Reduction: Comparison of Specific Alcohol PBS Among Pregaming and Non-pregaming College Students

Pregaming places college students at a higher risk for experiencing alcohol related negative consequences likely through less use of alcohol protective behavioral strategies. This study compared college students who did and did not endorse pregaming behaviors on their use of specific alcohol protective behavioral strategies. Participants were 331 traditional-age college students (Mage = 19.86, 64.8% White, 85.2% Female, 76.1% pregamed in past year) who completed measures assessing alcohol use, alcohol related negative consequences, pregaming, and alcohol protective behavioral strategies. Analysis of variance results showed college students who pregamed used fewer strategies aimed at modifying how one drinks, perhaps due to their potential for limiting pregaming behaviors (i.e., drinking heavily and quickly). Future research and clinical implications are discussed.