Larry A Hembroff1, Dennis Martell1, Rebecca Allen2, Andrew Poole1, Karen Clark3, Sandi W Smith4. 1. Olin Student Health Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA. 2. GardenShare Inc, Canton, NY, USA. 3. Institute for Public Policy and Social Research, Office for Survey Research, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA. 4. Department of Communication, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Evaluate effectiveness of a university-wide social norms marketing campaign to reduce high-risk drinking and its consequences among students at MSU. Participants: Campaign messages regarding descriptive and injunctive norms were distributed campus-wide from 2001 to 2014 to correct norm misperceptions. Methods: Random samples of students surveyed most semesters to monitor message saturation, dosage, and believability along with drinking attitudes, behaviors and harm related to celebratory events. NCHA conducted biennially since 2000 to assess overall progress. Results: Perceived drinking norms declined along with measures of actual drinking intensity, frequency, and frequency of intense drinking. Use of protective behaviors most often addressed in campaign messages increased while driving after drinking declined. Importantly, reported adverse effects of drinking on academic performance declined substantially. Conclusions: The evidence suggests the social norms approach has been effective at reducing adverse academic outcomes of drinking. Changes in perceptions, attitudes, behaviors and outcomes appear to be continuing.
OBJECTIVE: Evaluate effectiveness of a university-wide social norms marketing campaign to reduce high-risk drinking and its consequences among students at MSU. Participants: Campaign messages regarding descriptive and injunctive norms were distributed campus-wide from 2001 to 2014 to correct norm misperceptions. Methods: Random samples of students surveyed most semesters to monitor message saturation, dosage, and believability along with drinking attitudes, behaviors and harm related to celebratory events. NCHA conducted biennially since 2000 to assess overall progress. Results: Perceived drinking norms declined along with measures of actual drinking intensity, frequency, and frequency of intense drinking. Use of protective behaviors most often addressed in campaign messages increased while driving after drinking declined. Importantly, reported adverse effects of drinking on academic performance declined substantially. Conclusions: The evidence suggests the social norms approach has been effective at reducing adverse academic outcomes of drinking. Changes in perceptions, attitudes, behaviors and outcomes appear to be continuing.
Entities:
Keywords:
alcohol; college students; harm-reduction; high-risk drinking; social norms
Authors: Saleem Alhabash; Sunyoung Park; Sandi Smith; Hanneke Hendriks; Yao Dong Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-09-19 Impact factor: 4.614