Protective behavioural strategies : gender, context, and the health belief model as predictors of use

Protective behavioural strategies (PBS) are cognitive/social/behavioural strategies associated with reduced likelihood of alcohol-related harms. Due to different reported rates of harm in young adults who drink, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between PBS use (specifically those reducing the likelihood of interpersonal harm), gender and drinking context, namely public contexts (bars, nightclubs, etc) versus private contexts (house parties, university accommodation, etc). The study also aimed to examine the health behaviour models were associated with PBS use. 146 participants (71% female), responded to an anonymous survey. Gender and context where associated with PBS use, where females used more strategies than men, and PBS were used more in public contexts than private contexts (all p <.001). However, the gender and context interaction with PBS use was not significant (p = .08). The health belief model accounted for approximately 25% of PBS variation in both contexts and perceived susceptibility and cues to action were the strongest predictor components (all p <.001). These results provide important information regarding tendencies and motivations for drinking safety behaviours in Australian young adults. The association between PBS, susceptibility and cues in the health belief model may merit further examination for causation and potential utilisation in health campaigns.