Personal and Perceived Peer Use of and Attitudes Toward Alcohol Among University and College Students in Seven EU Countries: Project SNIPE

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Objective: The objective of this study was to explore perceptions of peer substance use and related attitudes among European students. Challenging perceptions about peer substance use has become the basis of a form of prevention and intervention known as the social norms approach, which can be delivered using personalized online feedback. This article reports baseline alcohol use and attitudes data for university students across Europe collected as part of the Social Norms Intervention for the prevention of Polydrug usE project (Project SNIPE). Method: Students from universities in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, the Slovak Republic, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom were recruited to take part in an online survey by the use of email invitations, social media, classroom announcements, flyers, and stalls in social areas, such as in cafeterias and bars on campus. A total of 4,482 students agreed to participate. Results: Overall, respondents reported both perceived alcohol use and perceived acceptance of alcohol use among their peers that were higher than their own use or acceptance. Perceived peers' behaviors and attitudes were found to be predictive of personal behaviors and attitudes, with some variation across countries and by sex. Conclusions:The results suggest that students at the participating institutions across selected European countries exhibit overall similar patterns of perceptions as have been found on American college campuses. In conjunction with the finding that the perceived norm is predictive of personal behavior and attitudes, this research provides support to the view that the social norms approach may be a viable method to reduce alcohol consumption among students at European universities. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs, 76, 430-438, 2015)

Normative Perceptions of Cannabis Use Among European University Students: Associations of Perceived Peer Use and Peer Attitudes With Personal Use and Attitudes

“…Data on alcohol, tobacco, and use of other illicit substances are reported in other articles (Helmer et al, 2014;McAlaney et al, 2015;Pischke et al, 2015). Participants rated their personal use and perceived peer use of natural forms of cannabis (e.g., marijuana, pot, hash, grass) in the past 2 months on a 10-point ordinal scale from never in my/their life to every day or nearly every day in the past 2 months.…”

“…There is convergent evidence that students tend to overestimate their peers' substance use, in terms of the quantity and frequency of substance use (descriptive norms) and their peers' attitudes regarding the acceptability of substance use (injunctive norms) (e.g., Perkins et al, 1999). Research to date has largely focused on the role of normative perceptions on alcohol use, typically by North American students, with evidence to suggest that students tend to overestimate their peers' alcohol consumption and attitudes toward alcohol use (e.g., McAlaney et al, 2015;Neighbors et al, 2006;Perkins et al, 1999).…”

The Influence of Drinking Motives on Hookah use Frequency Among Young Multi-Substance Users

“…Such misperceptions may arise from beliefs about normative behaviors, having many friends who have tried hookah, or, based on hookah use having fewer associated restrictions, views that it is socially acceptable (Berg et al, 2015; Heinz et al, 2013). As misperceptions are associated with increased substance use (McAlaney et al, 2015), it will be important for investigators to consider best ways to correct hookah-related misperceptions and thereby reduce undesired health consequences.…”

Estilos De Vida De Estudiantes Universitarios De Ciencias De La Salud

“…En cuanto al abuso de alcohol, según McAlaney esta práctica en adultos jóvenes puede dar lugar a deterioro cognitivo y neurológico; y como consecuencia de estos: bajo rendimiento académico, comportamientos antisociales, prácticas sexuales de riesgo, además de daño físico y psicológico 25 . Sin mencionar la asociación entre alcohol y accidentes automovilísticos en personas jóvenes.…”