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. 2016 Jul 2;51(8):1034-46.
doi: 10.3109/10826084.2016.1152497. Epub 2016 Apr 12.

PTSD and Pregaming in College Students: A Risky Practice for an At-Risk Group

Sharon Radomski  1 , Jessica A Blayney  1 , Mark A Prince  2 , Jennifer P Read  1
Affiliations

PTSD and Pregaming in College Students: A Risky Practice for an At-Risk Group

Sharon Radomski et al. Subst Use Misuse. .

Abstract

Background: College students with trauma exposure and PTSD are at risk for problem drinking. This may include more specific hazardous drinking practices such as pregaming (drinking prior to a social event), which is linked to increased alcohol-related consequences.

Objectives: The present study examined the association between pregaming and alcohol consequences and the role of trauma exposure and PTSD in predicting pregaming and alcohol-related consequences in a sample of college students using Multilevel Structural Equation Modeling (MSEM). We also assessed specific risk associated with PTSD relative to trauma exposure alone in relation to our outcomes.

Methods: Participants were categorized into groups based on trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms via diagnostic interview: (1) No Trauma, those who had not experienced a Criterion A trauma; (2) Trauma Only, those who experienced a Criterion A trauma but did not currently have PTSD; and (3) PTSD, those with current full or partial PTSD related to a Criterion A trauma. Alcohol consumption and related consequences also were measured via interview (TLFB, B-YAACQ).

Results: For all participants, nearly 50% more consequences were reported on pregaming days compared to nonpregaming drinking days. Those with PTSD were significantly more likely to pregame than those in the Trauma Only and No Trauma groups. Moreover, students with PTSD reported more consequences on pregaming days relative to the other two groups. In all analyses, the No Trauma and Trauma Only groups did not differ.

Conclusions: PTSD may confer risk both for pregaming and experiencing harmful consequences on pregaming days.

Keywords: PTSD; alcohol; alcohol consequences; college students; pre-party; pregaming; risky drinking; trauma.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Multilevel Structural Equation Model Diagram Note: Subscript i represents a path that includes a dummy coded variable.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Multilevel Structural Equation Model, Only for Days When Pregaming was Reported. Note: Subscript i represents a path that includes a dummy coded variable.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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