(PS1-15) Exploring the Impact of PBS Norms in the Relationship Between PBS Use and Alcohol-Related Problems in SGM and non-SGM College Students

Background: Alcohol-related problems (ARPs) pose a significant public health concern, particularly among sexual and gender minority (SGM) college students. Protective behavioral strategies (PBS) can reduce ARPs among both SGM and non-SGM college students. As such, identifying factors that may increase college students’ and particularly SGM students’ likelihood of using PBS is imperative. One such factor is group norms of PBS, which have been leveraged via normative-based interventions to promote PBS use. Understanding the role of PBS norms in the association between PBS use and ARPs among SGM versus non-SGM college students may identify opportunities to leverage SGM-specific norms to tailor interventions to SGM students. This study examines whether the effect of PBS norms in the association between PBS use and ARPs varies between SGM and non-SGM students.  

Methods: The present sample included N = 4,508 college student drinkers aged 17-25 (n = 1,246 SGM, n = 3,262 non-SGM). Participants completed an online survey assessing drinking behaviors, ARPs, and PBS norms. A three-way interaction was conducted to assess the effects of PBS norms, PBS use, and SGM status on ARPs.  

Results: SGM students reported greater ARPs compared to non-SGM students (b = .211, 95% CI [.114, .309]). There was a significant effect of PBS use on ARPs (b = -.096, 95% CI [-.187, -.004]); however, among heavy-drinking SGM students, no protective effect of PBS use on ARPs was found (b = .200, 95% CI [.024, .377]). There was a significant effect of PBS norms on the association between PBS use and ARPs (b = -.003, 95% CI [-.005, -.002]). Contrary to hypothesis, the effect of norms did not vary by SGM status (b = .001, 95% CI [-.006, .008]).  

Conclusions: While no significant difference in the magnitude of the effect of PBS norms between groups was found, these findings identify an elevated risk of ARPs in specifically SGM college students and indicate that the effectiveness of PBS in reducing ARPs may be limited in the most at-risk SGM individuals. These findings also demonstrate the role of PBS norms in the association between PBS use and ARPs among both SGM and non-SGM students, further supporting the use of normative-based interventions in promoting PBS use among both groups. Ultimately, the present study identifies opportunities to leverage SGM-specific norms to tailor normative-based PBS interventions to SGM students’ unique needs. This may ultimately increase access to effective alcohol interventions and reduce alcohol-related health disparities among SGM college students.