Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2010 Sep;51(5):496-508.
doi: 10.1353/csd.2010.0005.

Social Influence and Selection Processes as Predictors of Normative Perceptions and Alcohol Use Across the Transition to College

Caitlin C Abar  1 , Jennifer L Maggs
Affiliations

Social Influence and Selection Processes as Predictors of Normative Perceptions and Alcohol Use Across the Transition to College

Caitlin C Abar et al. J Coll Stud Dev. 2010 Sep.

Abstract

Research indicates that social influences impact college alcohol consumption. However, little work has addressed how selection processes may serve as an influential factor predicting alcohol use in this population. A model of influence and selection processes contributing to alcohol use across the transition to college was examined using structural equation modeling among a sample of late adolescents (N=193). Results indicate selection processes occur as students transition into college and have the opportunity to seek out and join new friend circles, while peer influence occurs once students have settled within a circle of friends at college. Implications for prevention are discussed.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Hypothesized Model Predicting Drinking Norms and Alcohol Use Across the Transition to College
Figure 2
Figure 2
Final Model Predicting Drinking Norms and Alcohol Use Across the Transition to College
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Akers RL, Krohn MD, Lanza-Kaduce L, Radosevich M. Social learning and deviant behavior: A specific test of a general theory. American Sociological Review. 1979;44:636–655. - PubMed
    1. Baer JS. Student factors: Understanding individual variation in college drinking. Journal of Studies on Alcohol. 2002;14:40–53. - PubMed
    1. Baer JS. Effects of college residence on perceived norms for alcohol consumption: An examination of the first year in college. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors. 1994;8:43–50.
    1. Baer JS, Carney MM. Biases in the perceptions of the consequences of alcohol use among college students. Journal of Studies on Alcohol. 1993;54:54–60. - PubMed
    1. Baer JS, Stacy A, Larimer M. Biases in the perception of drinking norms among college students. Journal of Studies on Alcohol. 1991;52:580–586. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources