Surveyed college students (N=688) from two universities to examine variables related to drinking, i.e., peer pressure, social ease, and desire to refrain from drinking. Results show class standing and gender to be variables affecting resistance to pressure to drink (RPD). Presents preventive strategies for university administrators. (BH)

Surveyed fraternity members from 41 colleges to examine drinking patterns among college students. Results showed 90 percent of college students reported drinking at social gatherings. Beer was the most popular beverage and grain alcohol the least popular. (JAC)

Used data from 459 college students to outline a problem specific approach to alcohol abuse prevention. Survey data described the distribution of drinkers and nondrinkers, group differences in consumption, and problems commonly experienced. Relationships between consumption and beliefs, attitudes and social pressure were used to design peer…

Assigned 1,426 university students to four intervention groups. A "norm-setting" intervention program--used to study perceptions and expectations of drinking--was of chief interest. This group was associated with the greatest reductions in the drinking norms attributed to the student body, close friends, living groups, and parents. (RJM)

Of 272 students surveyed, 46% reported using fake identification to obtain alcohol. Fraternity or sorority members were much more likely than other students to report using false identification to obtain alcohol. Results indicate a strong correlation among peers, frequency of drinking, and using fake identification. (RJM)

Examined impact of psychosocial variables on drinking among 505 Black college students. Lack of social support was best predictor of drinking of hard alcoholic beverages among Black college males. Respondents who began drinking at younger age, had parents who approved of drinking, and had friends who drank were more likely to drink light and hard…

Studied correlations between self-reported alcohol and marijuana use by college students (n=557) and peer and parental alcohol use, family alcohol abuse, and legalization attitudes. Major predictors for alcohol use were maternal alcohol use followed by peer use. Major predictors for marijuana use were desire for legalization followed by peer use…

This study compared how alcohol effect expectancies and reaction expectancies related to one another and to male and female college students' drinking behavior. Analyses indicated that different types and patterns of expectancies were gender specific. Discusses results in terms of the nature of gender/expectancy/drinking relationships. (RJM)

Administered psychosocial scales based on concept of social bond to measure alcohol use among 466 college seniors. Found that three psychosocial scales used accounted for 81 percent of variance in current alcohol use. Perceived Parental Approval of Teenage Drinking and Drinking Standards had moderate effect on alcohol use, but Tolerance of Minor…

Assessed changes in college student behavior regarding alcohol consumption before/after implementation of statewide legislative and campuswide administrative actions to cope with alcohol abuse. Findings showed no major changes in responsible alcohol-related behaviors. Factor analysis of behaviors and consequences, however, led to groupings of…

Surveyed 110 female college students to study social context in which drinking occurs. Analyzed descriptions of respondents' experiences in their most recent social situation where alcohol was used by others. Findings showed experiences occurred within last 5 days and were primarily related to relaxing, eating, or celebrating events or holidays.…

College students (n=177) ranked influence they thought various factors had on their smoking behavior. Subjects ranked peers first and cigarette advertisements last as causes of starting to smoke; my decision and health education advertisements highest and peers lowest for quitting smoking. Findings suggest students perceived they had high degree…

Faculty at an urban university were surveyed to explore the rates of confronting peers and college students with alcohol/other drug problems, the types of interventions made, and the reasons for not confronting impaired others. Results indicate that more faculty knew of a colleague who had a current substance problem than had actually confronted…

Reports on students (N=40) who were confronted with the choice of riding with a driver who appeared intoxicated. Results show that participants' consistently chose to enter the car in all conditions except when the peer refused. The condition of the driver had no effect on participants' reported concern. (EMK)

Examines the effects of a Peer Norms Correction (PNC) procedure on college students' perceptions of campus drinking and their actual drinking behavior. Results suggest that PNC may be useful in correcting misperceptions about the norms for alcohol use but not for decreasing heavy drinking among college students. (Contains 28 references and 2…