Coping motives as a mediator of the relationship between sexual coercion and problem drinking in college students. Addict Behav 2011 Oct;36(10):1001-7
Date
07/02/2011Pubmed ID
21719202Pubmed Central ID
PMC3148088DOI
10.1016/j.addbeh.2011.06.001Scopus ID
2-s2.0-79960118793 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 59 CitationsAbstract
Sexually coercive experiences, heavy alcohol use, and alcohol-related problems occur at relatively high base rates in college populations. As suggested by the self-medication hypothesis, alcohol consumption may be a means by which one can reduce negative affect or stress related to experiences of sexual coercion. However, few studies have directly tested the hypothesis that coping motives for drinking mediate the relation between sexual assault and problem drinking behaviors, and no published studies have tested this in men. The current study tested this hypothesis using structural equation modeling in a sample of 780 male and female undergraduates. Results revealed that coping motives partially mediated the relation between sexual coercion and drinking and alcohol-related negative consequences. In addition, direct and indirect paths between sexual coercion and drinking were found for men whereas only indirect paths were found for women. Results provide support for self-medication models of drinking and suggest the importance of exploring gender differences in mechanisms for drinking.
Author List
Fossos N, Kaysen D, Neighbors C, Lindgren KP, Hove MCAuthor
Mary Christina Hove MD Assistant Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Adaptation, PsychologicalAdolescent
Alcohol Drinking
Coercion
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Male
Models, Psychological
Risk Factors
Sexual Behavior
Students
Universities
