Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Winter 2-6-2012

Journal / Book Title

Journal of Drug Education

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%) were aware of campus policies, yet of those who were aware, less than half (44%) were accepting of these campus rules and regulations. In addition, the majority (79%) of students drank at social events, despite this behavior is 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 states that behavior is influenced less by knowledge than by attitude and intention.

DOI

10.2190/DE.41.4.a

Published Citation

Marshall, Brenda L., Katherine J. Roberts, Joseph W. Donnelly, and Imani N. Rutledge. "College student perceptions on campus alcohol policies and consumption patterns." Journal of Drug Education 41, no. 4 (2011): 345-358. Harvard

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