NCJ Number
197594
Journal
Journal of Drug Education Volume: 32 Issue: 3 Dated: 2002 Pages: 179-193
Editor(s)
Robert M. Huff M.P.H,
Michael V. Kline M.P.H,
James Robinson ED.D.
Date Published
2002
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article presents the results of an experimental intervention aimed at altering perceptions of second-hand effects of drinking behavior among college students.
Abstract
Heavy drinking by students has been described as the single most serious public health problem confronting American colleges. Second-hand effects of drinking behaviors such as violence, property damage, and degradation of living environments are widely recognized as problematic for college campuses. This article presents the results of an experiment designed to determine the impact of a group discussion about second-hand consequences of alcohol use on college students’ intentions to consume alcohol. The study focused on second-hand consequences of alcohol use, or second-hand consequence expectancies. It was hypothesized that students participating in a discussion on second-hand consequences of alcohol use would intend to consume less alcohol than control group students. The study was conducted at a public land grant university in the Midwest using 12 class sections of students from 2 large introductory public health and personal health classes. They were randomly distributed into either the intervention or control group. The survey instrument measured personal alcohol consumption standards, intended future consumption level, and perception of second-hand effects of alcohol use among college students. The results of this study showed that group discussion of second-hand effects reduced students’ consumption level intent. References