Citation

Utpala-Kumar R, Deane FP. Subst. Use Misuse 2012; 47(3): 278-285.

Affiliation

School of Psychology, University of Wollongong , Wollongong , Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.3109/10826084.2011.636134

PMID

22217126

Abstract

The present study tests the perceived norms hypothesis in relation to different levels of heavy episodic drinking (HED) among university students. In 2007, 303 students from residence halls and the School of Psychology at the University of Wollongong, Australia, completed a questionnaire about their alcohol consumption and associated attitudes and behaviors. Between-groups analyses of variance (ANOVAs) revealed significantly higher AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) scores among students in higher-frequency HED groups. Students who engaged in HED tended to underestimate their own drinking when comparing themselves with others. Improving the accuracy of perceptions about one's own drinking in relation to others (normative information) may help reduce levels of HED among students.

Language: en