NCJ Number
238040
Journal
Journal of Drug Education Volume: 41 Issue: 4 Dated: 2011 Pages: 345-358
Date Published
2011
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study examined the effect that college and university alcohol consumption policies had on consumption levels among students.
Abstract
Environmental strategies for colleges and universities to reduce alcohol consumption among their students include the development and enforcement of campus alcohol policies. This study examines students' knowledge and attitudes toward campus alcohol policies and how they relate to alcohol consumption and alcohol social norms. A sample of 422 freshman students was surveyed during their first month at a 4-year public college. Findings indicated that the majority of students (89 percent) were aware of campus policies, yet of those who were aware, less than half (44 percent) were accepting of these campus rules and regulations. In addition, the majority (79 percent) of students drank at social events, despite this behavior being in direct violation of campus alcohol policies. However, those who supported campus rules consumed significantly less alcohol at social events than those who opposed or had no opinion of the rules. Also, those who supported the rules perceived that their peers and students in general consumed significantly less alcohol at social events than those who were opposed or had no opinion. This outcome supports the premise established by several theories of behavior change including the theory of planned behavior, which state that behavior is influenced less by knowledge than by attitude and intention. (Published Abstract)