Depression and problem drinking among college students in the Republic of Korea: the mediating role of protective behavioral strategies

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the mediating effects of protective behavioral strategies (PBS) on the association between depression and problem drinking among Korean college students.Methods: For this study, we analyzed secondary survey data collected to enhance the understanding of drinking behavior among Korean college students. The study sample consisted of 447 college students who had consumed alcohol at least one time during the month prior to the survey. To examine the mediating effects of PBS, structural equation modeling analysis was performed; as part of this effort, (a) model fit was examined, (b) the model was modified to improve fit statistics, and (c) standardized indirect, direct, and total effects of depression on problem drinking were estimated.Results: PBS was a significant mediator explaining the association between depression and problem drinking. We found that college students with greater depression were less likely to use PBS, which resulted in increased risk of problem drinking.Conclusions: Given the significant mediating effect of PBS on the association between depression and problem drinking, it would be advantageous to implement interventions that motivate depressed college students to use PBS when drinking alcohol in order to prevent or reduce the risk of problem drinking.