Test-Retest Reliability of the 7-Factor Motives for Playing Drinking Games Scale and its Associations With Drinking Game Behaviors Among Female College Athletes

Drinking games (DGs) participation is prevalent among college-attending emerging adults. Research also suggests that student-athletes play DGs more frequently than non student-athletes, but what motivates student-athletes to participate in DGs is not well understood. Using data from a larger longitudinal study with Division III female athletes, we examined the test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change of the revised 7-factor Motives for Playing Drinking Games (MPDG) measure, and explored how its subscales were related to DGs behavior across two annual timepoints (n = 49). Results indicated that the MPDG shows adequate test-retest reliability over a one year period among student-athletes. Controlling for age and general alcohol consumption, conformity motives were positively associated with DG consumption at timepoint 1, whereas the DG motives of enhancement/thrills and boredom were positively related to DG consumption at timepoint 2. Implications for future research directions on motives for playing DGs and DGs behavior among student-athletes are discussed.

Protective Behavioral Strategies and Alcohol Use Outcomes Among College Students: The Moderating Effects of Negative Affect

The current study examined negative affect as a moderator of the relationships between protective behavioral strategies (PBS) used to reduce alcohol-related risk and alcohol use outcomes. Data were obtained from 267 college students using a web-based survey. The use of PBS (i.e., setting a limit on number of drinks, alternating drinks with water, avoiding drinking games) was associated with alcohol use and negative alcohol-related consequences. Negative affect symptoms moderated these relationships such that these relationships were stronger for those students who reported a greater number of negative affect symptoms. The findings indicate that the use of PBS by college students who consume alcohol are more protective for those with poorer mental health.