Citation

Thombs DL, Ray-Tomasek J, Osborn CJ, Olds RS. Am. J. Health Behav. 2005; 29(4): 342-351.

Affiliation

Health Promotion Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242-0001, USA. dthombs@kent.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, PNG Publications)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16006231

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To create explanatory models of 3 undergraduate drinking practices based on sex-specific norms. METHODS: An electronic, student survey at one Mid-western university produced a representative sample of college students. RESULTS: Multivariate analyses indicated that close-friend norms were the best predictors of drinking frequency, quantity, and drunkenness. With one exception, typical student (or distal) norms had no significant relationship to drinking. Opposite-sex norms had associations with drinking above and beyond that explained by same-sex norms. CONCLUSIONS: The findings challenge the current application of the popular social norms approach that relies on distal drinking norms to provide normative feedback.