The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #65397

Sally A. Linowski, MSPH, CHES, School of Public Health, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 150 Infirmary Way, University Health Services, Amherst, MA 01003, 413-577-5181, sallyl@uhs.umass.edu

Research investigating women’s alcohol use has been limited, and generally fails to consider the social context and environment pertaining to the experiences of women.. Existing research reveals that women’s use, consequences, and physiological responses to alcohol differ from men’s, however, the predominant prevention approach at the college level, social norms marketing, tends to apply a universal approach targeting all college students without attention to gender issues. In order to develop effective prevention and treatment programs, the field of public health must listen to women’s perspectives on drinking norms and practices in their own words and within their own social milieu. This session will share preliminary results from a phenomenological study designed to explore participants’ perspectives on the meaning of drinking in their lives, its role in fostering growth enhancing relationships, and the role of alcohol in their campus culture. Participants from a large co-educational university and a women’s college are included in the sample. The study uses the Relational-Cultural Model of psychological development (Kaplan, 1994; Gleason, 1994; Miller & Stiver, 1997) as a conceptual framework to understand the binge drinking phenomenon. When viewed from a relational perspective, the patterns of alcohol consumption among women must be recognized as contextual, situated, and particular to individuals’ experience within their social milieu. Therefore, this study examines women’s perceptions on the role of social norms and peer relationships in their drinking behaviors. It will also increase understanding of the appropriateness of gender-neutral social norms marketing approaches.

Learning Objectives:

• 1)Describe the perceived norms and expectations surrounding alcohol use among college women; 2)Discuss the role of alcohol in women's relationships with others; 3)Discuss implications for public health prevention strategies.

Keywords: Alcohol Use, Women

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.