(PS6-C60) Protective and Risk Factors for Increased Alcohol Use in Latinx College Students on the U.S./Mexico Border

The prevalence of drinking remains high in the U.S; the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that nearly 55% of college students reported having consumed alcohol in the past month compared to 44% in the same non-college age group (SAMHSA, 2018). College students have also reported specific alcohol-related consequences. However, there is limited research on alcohol use in Latinx College students living in the U.S/Mexico Border. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between past month, and past year alcohol use and alcohol related consequences relative to demographics, and mental health challenges within a Latinx college student sample. 

Self-Identified Latinx college students (n=406) from a Hispanic serving Institution (M_age 22.4 years, SD = 3.76) were recruited via SONA, a web-based recruitment system. After signing an electronic consent form, participants completed the following measures: sociodemographic, Alcohol Use Frequency, Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire Short Form, Adverse Childhood Experience and the Child of Alcoholic Screening Test. To identify predictors of past month and past year alcohol use, negative binomial regression analyses were used to account for the over dispersion of count data in the dependent variable. A linear regression was conducted to identify predictors

of RAPI scores.

Average number of days of alcohol use in the past month was 2.87 (SD = 4.65), and 24.62 (SD = 46.07) days in the past year. Average number of alcohol related consequences was low (M = 4.21; SD = 7.74) Results of the negative binomial regression analysis for past month alcohol was statistically significant such that age (p = 0.00) was positively associated with past month alcohol. Results of the negative binomial regression of past year drinking indicated the model was statistically significant such that age (p = 0.00) and depression (p = 0.00) were positively associated with past year alcohol use. Stress (p = 0.01) was negatively associated with past year alcohol use. Finally, the linear regression model for RAPI was statistically significant. Age (p = 0.01), depression (p= 0.05), anxiety (p = 0.00), and ACEs (p= 0.01) were positively associated with RAPI. Stress (p= 0.05) was negatively associated with RAPI.

That depression was positively associated with past year alcohol use suggests alcohol as a potential maladaptive coping strategy. RAPI scores were associated with depression and anxiety which may suggest that this maladaptive coping may lead to adverse alcohol related consequences. Further, the positive relationship between ACEs and RAPI suggests difficulties with emotion regulation and the use of maladaptive coping through alcohol may commence earlier in the developmental process. Use and resultant consequence patterns with mental health symptoms and past childhood experiences suggest that early alcohol prevention and intervention programs are warranted, especially among college Latinx border region college students.