142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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Influence of Perceived Social Norms on High Risk Alcohol Consumption Among College Students

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Sara Wakai, PhD , Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT
Elizabeth A. Schilling, PhD , Institute for Public Health Research, Center for Public Health and Health Policy, University of Connecticut Health Center, East Hartford, CT
Background: Alcohol use among college students is influenced by many factors. Of particular concern are students’ perceived social norms that encourage underage and high risk alcohol consumption.  The study examines individual characteristics, perceived peer behavior, campus environment, and campus policies related to high risk alcohol consumption among undergraduate college students.

Method: The findings utilize the Core Alcohol and Drug Survey-Long Form data based on a national US sample of 237,313 college students collected from 2006 to 2009.  It is designed to assess college students’ attitudes, perceptions and consequences of alcohol and other drug use on their campuses.  Linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the relationship of student, peer and campus environment characteristics on alcohol consumption.  Regression models control for student demographics, living situation, and involvement in extra-curricular activities, and for campus size and location.

Results:

Results revealed that student perceptions of normative alcohol use (e.g peer and campus environment) are significantly related to individual alcohol consumption and binge drinking. Specifically, students who report more frequent alcohol consumption and more binge drinking also report that: 1) peers have higher rates of alcohol use (p < .001); 2) alcohol consumption is a central part of the social life of various campus groups (p < .001) and, 3) the social environment on campus promotes alcohol consumption (p < .001). 

Conclusion: The results indicate that the perception that alcohol is central to the college experience should be targeted for intervention as part of efforts to reduce high risk alcohol consumption. 

Learning Areas:

Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Identify student, peer and campus characteristics associated with high risk alcohol consumption on college campuses. Explain the influence of perceived social norms on college students’ high risk alcohol consumption.

Keyword(s): Alcohol Use, College Students

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Dr. Wakai has designed and conducted several research studies related to public health. She is the evaluator for two state initiatives: 1) Connecticut Healthy Campus Initiative which is designed to reduce underage and binge drinking on college campuses across Connecticut and; 2) Connecticut Campus Suicide Prevention Initiative which is designed to reduce suicide contemplation, attempts and completions by young adult students ages 18 to 24.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 5006.0: College Drinking: Issues & Interventions