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. 2011 Sep;14(5):651-669.
doi: 10.1177/1368430210398014.

Social-norms interventions for light and nondrinking students

Clayton Neighbors  1 , Megan Jensen  2 , Judy Tidwell  1 , Theresa Walter  2 , Nicole Fossos  1 , Melissa A Lewis  2
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Social-norms interventions for light and nondrinking students

Clayton Neighbors et al. Group Process Intergroup Relat. 2011 Sep.

Abstract

Social-norms approaches to alcohol prevention are based on consistent findings that most students overestimate the prevalence of drinking among their peers. Most interventions have been developed for heavy-drinking students, and the applicability of social-norms approaches among abstaining or light-drinking students has yet to be evaluated. The present research aimed to evaluate the impact of two types of online social-norms interventions developed for abstaining or light-drinking students. Identification with other students was evaluated as a moderator. Participants included 423 freshmen and sophomore college students who reported never or rarely drinking at screening. Students were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (a) personalized-norms feedback, (b) social-norms marketing ads, or (c) attention control. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models. Results provided some support for both interventions but were stronger for social-norms marketing ads, particularly among participants who identified more closely with other students.

Keywords: abstainers; alcohol; feedback; social identity; social norms.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Participant flow.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Drinks per week as a function of intervention condition and social identity.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Perceived norms as a function of intervention condition and social identity.
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See this image and copyright information in PMC

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