OUR CAMPUS CULTURE:
FINDINGS FROM THE 2002
CSUSB CAMPUS SURVEY OF
ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE
SOCIAL NORMS
ROBERT G. LACHAUSSE
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SCIENCE AND HUMAN ECOLOGY
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN BERNARDINO
OUR CAMPUS CULTURE:
FINDINGS FROM THE 2002 CSUSB
CAMPUS SURVEY OF ALCOHOL AND
DRUG USE SOCIAL NORMS
ROBERT G. LACHAUSSE
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SCIENCE AND HUMAN ECOLOGY
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN BERNARDINO
OUR CAMPUS CULTURE: FINDINGS FROM THE 2002 CSUSB CAMPUS SURVEY OF
ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE SOCIAL NORMS
2
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:
Robert G. LaChausse
RESEARCH METHODS STUDENTS (SPRING 2002):
Samuel Afuwape
Angie Aguirre
Alisa Brechbill
Paul Cox
Michael Edwards
David Gonzales
April Holweger
Jessica Lexy
Christine McClary
Eric Nauls
Chere O’Grady
Kuntal Patel
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
This research was supported by:
Cindy Paxton, Chair, Department of Health Science and Human Ecology
Robert Carlson, Dean, College of Natural Sciences
Ross Moran and Muriel Lopez, CSUSB Office of Institutional Research
For questions or comments regarding this report, please email
[email protected].
Prevention Research and Program Evaluation Lab
Department of Health Science and Human Ecology
College of Natural Sciences
California State University, San Bernardino
2002. Personal use of this material is permitted. However, permission to
reprint or disseminate this material for any purpose must be obtained from the
author or his designee.
OUR CAMPUS CULTURE: FINDINGS FROM THE 2002 CSUSB CAMPUS SURVEY OF
ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE SOCIAL NORMS
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OUR CAMPUS CULTURE:
FINDINGS FROM THE 2002 CSUSB CAMPUS SURVEY OF
ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE SOCIAL NORMS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................. 5
INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 6
METHODS ................................................................................................................................. 9
RESULTS ................................................................................................................................. 10
Perceived and Actual Frequency of Student Alcohol Consumption ................................. 11
Perceived and Actual Quantity of Student Alcohol Consumption .................................... 13
Perceived and Actual Percentage of Students Who Binge Drink...................................... 15
Perceived and Actual Percentage of Students Who Do Not Drink Alcohol...................... 16
Perceived and Actual Quantity of Alcoholic Drinks Consumed by Location................... 17
Perceived and Actual Attitudes Toward Alcohol and Other Drug Use............................. 18
Perception of Campus Policies Regarding Alcohol and Drug Use ................................... 20
Likelihood of Consuming Alcohol by Day and Alcohol- Serving Establishments........... 21
HYPOTHESIS TESTS ................................................................................................................. 22
Alcohol Use and Students Groups..................................................................................... 22
Alcohol Use and Housing Status ....................................................................................... 23
Alcohol Consumption and Social Norms .......................................................................... 23
Binge Drinking and Other Risk Behaviors........................................................................ 23
CONCLUSIONS......................................................................................................................... 24
REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................... 28
OUR CAMPUS CULTURE: FINDINGS FROM THE 2002 CSUSB CAMPUS SURVEY OF
ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE SOCIAL NORMS
4
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Alcohol and drug use during the college years has developed into a kind of culture
that include beliefs and customs that are deeply rooted in every level of college life. Past
research suggests that these beliefs and the expectations they engender, exert a powerful
influence over students' behavior toward alcohol and drug use. This report highlights the
findings of the 2002 CSUSB Campus Survey of Alcohol and Drug Use Social Norms. The
purpose of the study was to examine social norms surrounding alcohol and drug use among
students at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB). A total of 217
undergraduates were selected from a random sample of classes at CSUSB in the Spring
2002 and completed the Campus Survey of Alcohol and Other Drug Norms (CORE
Institute, 1999). Findings suggest that CSUSB students tend to think that their peers are, on
average, more permissive in personal drinking attitudes than is the case, and likewise that
peers consume alcohol more frequently and more heavily, than is really the norm.
Specifically, this study indicates that:
•
Over 25% of CSUSB students do not drink alcohol at all.
•
The average student at CSUSB drinks about 2 or less drinks when at a bar
or party. The average student consumes alcohol at least once per week.
•
While students perceive that almost 50% of students at CSUSB binge
drink, only 31% actually binge drink in the last two weeks.
•
CSUSB students tend to think that their peers are more permissive in their
personal attitudes toward drinking alcohol.
•
Students who believe that CSUSB students drink excessively are more
likely to consume more alcohol.
•
Binge drinking at CSUSB is related to other health risk behaviors.
Past studies have suggested that well planned, implemented, and evaluated
interventions can decrease alcohol use among college students. Findings from this study can
be used to develop prevention programs at the individual-student level, at the level of the
entire student body, and at the community level.
OUR CAMPUS CULTURE: FINDINGS FROM THE 2002 CSUSB CAMPUS SURVEY OF
ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE SOCIAL NORMS
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INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Surgeon General and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
have identified binge drinking among college students as a major public health problem. The
consequences of alcohol and drug use are numerous. Students who attended schools with
high rates of heavy drinking experience a greater number of secondhand effects including
disruption of sleep or studies, property damage, and verbal and physical abuse (Wechsler,
Moeykens, Davenport, Castillo, & Hansen, 1995). Alcohol consumption includes the
frequency (how often a person drinks) and quantity (how much a person drinks). Frequency
of consumption refers to the number of days, or sometimes, occasions that an individual has
consumed alcoholic beverages during a specified interval (e.g., week, month, and year).
Quantity of consumption refers to the amount of alcohol ingested on a given drinking
occasion (NIAAA, 2002).
Research suggests that a major factor influencing students’ decisions about alcohol
consumption is their perceptions of campus drinking norms (Perkins & Wechsler, 1996).
These findings are consistent with other areas of research regarding social norms. Social
norms theory states that much of people’s behavior is influenced by their perception of how
other members of their social group behave. According to social norms theory, people tend
to misperceive (i.e. exaggerate) the negative health behavior of their peers. If people think
harmful behavior is typical, they are more likely to engage in that type of behavior. College
students tend to greatly overestimate the number of their peers who engage in high-risk
drinking, both nationally and on their own campus (Perkins & Wechsler, 1996; Haines &
Spear, 1996; Gomberg, Schneider, & DeJong, 2001). The idea that many other students
drink excessively may cause students to feel both justified and pressured to consume more
alcohol than they normally would if they believed that their peers drank more moderately
(Gomberg et al., 2001). Perceived social norms also affect student’s attitudes toward
alcohol and drug use. For example, Perkins and Berkowitz (1986) found that more than
three-quarters of students believed that one should never drink to intoxication or that
intoxication was acceptable only in limited circumstances. However, almost two-thirds of
these same students thought their peers felt that frequent intoxication or intoxication that did
interfere with academics and other responsibilities was acceptable.
OUR CAMPUS CULTURE: FINDINGS FROM THE 2002 CSUSB CAMPUS SURVEY OF
ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE SOCIAL NORMS
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In research conducted on nationwide data from institutions that have participated in
the Core Institute Survey on Alcohol and Drugs, it was found that most students perceived
much more frequent use of alcohol among their peers than actually occurred at their school
(Perkins, Meilman, Leichliter, Cashin, & Presley, 1999). These inflated perceptions of
student drinking behaviors are likely to have substantial consequences on personal use as
students wish to, or feel pressured to, conform to erroneously perceived expectations of
peers (Perkins, 1997). Additionally, there is some evidence that normative perceptions are
an individual risk factor for heavy drinking; that is, that higher perceived norms are
associated with higher levels of drinking and problems (Perkins & Wechsler, 1996).
Misperceptions about substance use on this campus have not been limited to attitudes toward
alcohol use. Perkins (1997) points out that other studies indicate a relationship between
misperceptions and other drug use.
As problems continue to rise as a result of alcohol and drug use among college
students, college and university presidents are under pressure to lower high-risk drinking
and drug use among students. One challenge in addressing this problem has been the lack of
a basic infrastructure needed to develop, implement, and evaluate alcohol and drug
prevention programs. Traditional responses to the problem of high-risk drinking have
included student education and counseling. Although educational components are important
to some successful interventions, they do not appear to be effective. Despite this evidence,
informational/educational strategies are the most commonly utilized techniques for
individually focused prevention on college campuses (DeJong & Langford, 2002). Other
prevention programs remain relatively ineffective because they do not include a
comprehensive approach to prevention at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of
campus alcohol prevention (Perkins, 1997).
Nonetheless, many successful approaches have used a social norm strategy
embedded in a wider alcohol and prevention program that attempts to change individual
student behavior. Initial results of program interventions that have adopted an intensive
social norms approach are quite promising (Berkowitz, 1997; Haines & Spear 1996).
Several institutions (e.g. University of Arizona, Northern Illinois University, Santa Clara
University) with programs that have intensively and persistently communicated accurate
OUR CAMPUS CULTURE: FINDINGS FROM THE 2002 CSUSB CAMPUS SURVEY OF
ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE SOCIAL NORMS
7
norms about healthy majorities of students have experienced significant reductions in highrisk or heavy episodic drinking rates (Perkins, 2002).
As a result, carefully planned, implemented, and evaluated programs based on a
social norms approach show promise. Colleges and universities should adapt, with fidelity,
existing successful projects based on a social norms approach. A social norms marketing
campaign should be one component of a more comprehensive effort to prevent high-risk
drinking at CSUSB.
OUR CAMPUS CULTURE: FINDINGS FROM THE 2002 CSUSB CAMPUS SURVEY OF
ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE SOCIAL NORMS
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METHODS
Participants
A total of 217 students participated in the study. Participants were selected from a
random sample of all undergraduate courses in the Spring of 2002 at CSUSB. The CSUSB
Office of Institutional Research provided this list of classes. Instructors were contacted to
give consent for data collection in their class and to arrange a time to collect survey data.
Four instructors declined to allow their class to participate in the study.
Materials and Procedure
Undergraduate students enrolled in a research methods course in Spring 2002
collected data during the normal course time. Participants were briefed and debriefed
regarding the nature of the survey, confidentiality of their responses, time commitment for
participation in the study, and how they could contact the researcher regarding any questions
they had about their participation. Consent to participate in the study was gained after the
initial briefing and participants were told that they could stop at any time without penalty.
Participants completed the Campus Survey of Alcohol and Other Drug Norms (Presley &
Meilman, 1989). The survey examines perceptions regarding alcohol, marijuana, other
illicit drugs, binge drinking, and attitudes toward campus policies. It asks students to rate
the perceived use and attitudes of their friends and the general student population and to
provide their own usage and attitudes regarding the same items. The survey took about 20
minutes to complete. Participants were not offered any incentive to participate in the study
and were treated in accordance with the “Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of
Conduct” (American Psychological Association, 1992). This research was reviewed and
approved by the Institutional Review Board of California State University, San Bernardino.
OUR CAMPUS CULTURE: FINDINGS FROM THE 2002 CSUSB CAMPUS SURVEY OF
ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE SOCIAL NORMS
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RESULTS
Survey Demographics
A total of 217 male and female undergraduate students enrolled in classes at CSUSB
in the Spring 2002 term participated in the study. Figure 1 shows that approximately 67% of
the sample was female and 33% of the sample was male. This is approximate to the
demographic distribution of the entire campus population during the same time period
(63%- female, 37%- male) (CSUSB, 2002). The average age of the participants was 24.9
years of age. To insure that the sample was representative of the CSUSB student
population, a t-test was computed comparing the sample mean age (24.9) and the population
mean age (25.0). Results indicate that the mean age of the sample was not significantly
different from the mean age of the population (t=0.37, p> .05). Figure 2 shows the ethnic
distribution of the sample.
Figure 1.: Gender
Male
33%
Female
67%
Figure 2.: Ethnicity
White
7%
2%
Black
43%
30%
Hispanic or Latino
Asian or PI
18%
American Indian or
Alaskan Native
OUR CAMPUS CULTURE: FINDINGS FROM THE 2002 CSUSB CAMPUS SURVEY OF
ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE SOCIAL NORMS
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Perceived and Actual Frequency of Student Alcohol Consumption
The frequency of alcohol use among CSUSB students ranges from never to
everyday. Twenty- three percent of CSUSB students reported that they drink alcohol at least
once per week. Almost 20 percent of CSUSB students report that they do not frequently
use alcohol (See Figure 3).
Figure 3. Frequency of Student Alcohol Consumption
25
Percent
20
19.5
19.1
14
15
13.5
11.6
11.2
10
7.4
3.3
5
0.5
0
v
Ne
er
2
1-
tim
a
es
ar
ye
6
e
tim
r
ea
y
/
s
c
On
m
e/
th
on
ice
Tw
/m
th
on
On
ek
we
/
ce
k
k
ee
ee
/w
/w
s
s
e
e
tim
tim
3
5
Ev
a
yd
er
y
OUR CAMPUS CULTURE: FINDINGS FROM THE 2002 CSUSB CAMPUS SURVEY OF
ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE SOCIAL NORMS
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CSUSB students perceive that 43 percent of their fellow students drink at least once
per week and that only 0.5 percent never use alcohol (See figure 4).
43.9
24.3
9.8
8.4
ay
yd
er
Ev
es
tim
5
3
tim
es
/w
/w
ee
ee
k
k
ee
k
O
nc
e/
w
ic
e
Tw
e/
m
/m
on
on
th
th
1.9
O
nc
/y
ea
r
0.5
6
7.9
3.3
tim
es
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
N
ev
er
Percent
Figure 4. Perceived Frequency of Student Alcohol Consumption
OUR CAMPUS CULTURE: FINDINGS FROM THE 2002 CSUSB CAMPUS SURVEY OF
ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE SOCIAL NORMS
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Perceived and Actual Quantity of Student Alcohol Consumption
CSUSB students, in general, drink less than 2.5 drinks at a bar or party (for more
information, see Figure 18). A closer look at students groups indicates that, on average,
regular students (those that are not athletes, not fraternity/ sorority members) typically
consume less than 2 drinks when at a bar or party. CSUSB fraternity and sorority members
typically consume an average of 3 drinks when at a bar or party. CSUSB student- athletes
typically consume an average of 3.5 drinks when at a bar or party. CSUSB students that are
both athletes and fraternity/ sorority members report that they typically consume an average
of 6.5 drinks when they are at a bar or party (See Figure 5).
Figure 5. Actual Mean Number of Alcoholic Drinks Consumed by Group
6.5
7
6
5
4
3
2.9
3.24
1.89
2
1
0
Regular
Fraternity/
sorority
member
Athlete
Athlete &
Fraternity/
sorority
member
OUR CAMPUS CULTURE: FINDINGS FROM THE 2002 CSUSB CAMPUS SURVEY OF
ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE SOCIAL NORMS
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CSUSB students reported that they believe that the number of alcoholic drinks
consumed by CSUSB students is higher than is actually the case. Students report that they
believe that fraternity/ sorority members consume more alcohol than students in other
groups (See Figure 6). Interestingly, CSUSB students believe that students who live off
campus consume more alcohol, on average, than students who live on campus.
Figure 6. Perceived Mean Number of Alcoholic Drinks Consumed by Group
8
6.6
7
6
5
5.87
4.89
4.93
5.1
4
3
2
1
0
Regular Fraternity/ Athletes
Students Sorority
Members
Students Students
Who Live Who Live
On
Off
Campus Campus
OUR CAMPUS CULTURE: FINDINGS FROM THE 2002 CSUSB CAMPUS SURVEY OF
ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE SOCIAL NORMS
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Perceived and Actual Percentage of Students Who Binge Drink
Heavy drinking is frequently associated with residence hall damage, sexual assault,
fighting, drunk & driving, and lower grade point averages. In most of the research literature
on alcohol use, binge drinking is operationally defined as the consumption of five or more
drinks in one sitting. Overall, 31 percent of the students at CSUSB reported having binged
"in the last two weeks" (See Figure 7). Of the 31 percent of students who have binged drink
in the last 2 weeks, 5 percent had binge drinking episodes on five or more days. This means
a minimum of 25 drinks per two weeks per student solely from bingeing, and in all
likelihood there is greater alcohol consumption than that. CSUSB students report that they
think at least 48 percent of students have had binged drinking episodes in the last two weeks
creating a social norm that portrays that half of CSUSB students binge drink.
Figure 7. Actual and Perceived Percentage of Students Who Binge Drink
70%
60%
48%
50%
31%
40%
30%
20%
10%
Perceived Percentage
Actual Percentage
OUR CAMPUS CULTURE: FINDINGS FROM THE 2002 CSUSB CAMPUS SURVEY OF
ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE SOCIAL NORMS
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Perceived and Actual Percentage of Students Who Do Not Drink Alcohol
Overall, almost 25 percent of CSUSB students reported that they do not drink
alcohol (See Figure 8). CSUSB students believe that 27 percent of students in general do
not drink alcohol. CSUSB students report that only 1% of fraternity/ sorority members do
not drink, 3% of athletes do not drink, and .05% of students who live on campus do not
drink. CSUSB students’ close friends were believed to be most likely not to drink alcohol
(4.5%).
Figure 8. Actual and Perceived Percentage of Students Who Do Not Drink Alcohol
40%
30%
27%
25%
20%
10%
Perceived Percentage
Actual Percentage
OUR CAMPUS CULTURE: FINDINGS FROM THE 2002 CSUSB CAMPUS SURVEY OF
ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE SOCIAL NORMS
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Perceived and Actual Quantity of Alcoholic Drinks Consumed by Location
CSUSB students reported that they are most likely to drink at bars and off-campus
parties. CSUSB students believe that most students at fraternity or sorority functions and at
off- campus bars are likely to consume greater amounts of alcohol than at school functions
and athletic events.
Figure 9.: On Any Given Occasion, How Many Alcoholic Drinks Are Most Typically
Consumed By You and Others in Each of the Following Places?
Not
Available
Bar
Yourself
Others
Athletic Events
Yourself
Others
Fraternity Social Functions
Yourself
Others
Sorority Social Functions
Yourself
Others
Residence Hall Informal Get Togethers
Yourself
Others
School Dances (or "mixers")
Yourself
Others
Off-Campus Parties
Yourself
Others
Never
Attend
0
1 to 2
3 to 4
5 to 6
7 to 8
9 to 10
11+
5.0%
45.2%
7.4%
0.9%
16.6%
2.8%
18.3%
18.4%
4.2%
18.0%
1.9%
9.5%
0.9% 0.5%
2.9% 2.0%
13.8%
29.3%
37.7%
8.8%
10.6%
15.2%
4.2%
20.8%
3.6%
6.4%
0.5%
3.7%
0.5% 0.0%
1.4% 0.0%
8.8%
57.4%
11.1%
0.9%
6.8%
4.1%
8.6%
5.5%
3.3%
12.4%
2.5%
9.7%
1.0% 0.5%
0.5% 2.8%
5.5%
71.4%
9.7%
1.8%
4.6%
2.7%
5.0%
6.4%
0.5%
6.9%
2.8%
4.6%
0.5% 0.5%
0.0% 0.9%
9.1%
66.4%
7.4%
0.9%
10.6%
3.7%
3.2%
8.8%
0.5%
6.0%
1.9%
3.7%
1.0% 0.0%
0.9% 0.0%
7.8%
67.7%
11.0%
0.9%
5.3%
5.1%
4.7%
7.9%
1.4%
6.4%
1.0%
4.2%
0.9% 0.5%
1.9% 0.5%
5.8%
29.0%
12.1%
0.5%
17.5%
3.7%
13.4%
10.2%
13.3%
23.9%
4.6%
15.7%
2.8% 1.5%
5.0% 4.6%
OUR CAMPUS CULTURE: FINDINGS FROM THE 2002 CSUSB CAMPUS SURVEY OF
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Perceived and Actual Attitudes Toward Alcohol and Other Drug Use
CSUSB students tend to think that their peers are, on average, more permissive in
personal drinking attitudes than is the case. While 18.2 percent of CSUSB students feel that
drinking alcohol is never a good thing to do, they believe that only 2.8% of students in
general feel that drinking is never a good thing to do. At the same time, 3.3% CSUSB
students reported that frequently getting drunk is acceptable while they believe that 12% of
students in general believe that frequently getting drunk is acceptable (See Figure 10).
Figure 10.: Attitudes Toward Alcohol Use
Attitudes Toward Drinking Alcohol Use
Drinking is never a good thing to do
Drinking is all right but a person should not get
drunk
Occasionally getting drunk is okay as long as it
doesn't interfere with academics or other
responsibilities
Occasionally getting drunk is okay even if it does
interfere with academics or other responsibilities
Frequently getting drunk is okay if that's what the
individual wants to do
Total
Own Students in
Attitude
General
18.2%
2.8%
39.5%
12.1%
38.1%
65.7%
0.9%
7.4%
3.3%
100%
12.0%
100%
OUR CAMPUS CULTURE: FINDINGS FROM THE 2002 CSUSB CAMPUS SURVEY OF
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CSUSB students tend to think that their peers are, on average, more permissive
regarding marijuana use. While over 67% percent of CSUSB students feel that smoking
marijuana is never a good thing to do, they believe that only 7.9% of students in general feel
that smoking marijuana is never a good thing to do (See Figure 11). Most CSUSB students
have negative attitudes toward other drug use (88%) while they felt hat students in general
believe that occasional drug use is acceptable (50%) (See Figure 12).
Figure 11.: Attitudes Toward Marijuana Use
Attitudes Toward Marijuana Use
It is never a good thing to do.
Trying it out one or two times is okay as long as it
doesn't interfere with academics or other
responsibilities.
Own Students in
Attitude
General
67.2%
7.9%
18.7%
Occasional use is okay as long as it doesn't
interfere with academics or other responsibilities.
8.9%
Occasional use is okay even if it does interfere
with academics or other responsibilities.
0.5%
Frequent use is okay if that's what the individual
wants to do.
4.7%
Total
100.00%
33.0%
41.9%
5.6%
11.6%
100.00%
Figure 12.: Attitudes Toward Other Drug Use
Attitudes Toward Other Drug Use
It is never a good thing to do.
Trying it out one or two times is okay as long as it
doesn't interfere with academics or other
responsibilities.
Occasional use is okay as long as it doesn't
interfere with academics or other responsibilities.
Occasional use is okay even if it does interfere
with academics or other responsibilities.
Frequent use is okay if that's what the individual
wants to do.
Total
Own
Students in
Attitude
General
88.4%
24.0%
8.8%
50.5%
0.3%
21.3%
2.5%
1.4%
0.0%
100%
2.8%
100%
OUR CAMPUS CULTURE: FINDINGS FROM THE 2002 CSUSB CAMPUS SURVEY OF
ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE SOCIAL NORMS
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Perception of Campus Policies Regarding Alcohol and Drug Use
Forty- six percent of CSUSB students are aware of campus rules and regulations
regarding alcohol and other drug use. Fifty percent of CSUSB students oppose campus rules
and regulations regarding alcohol and other drug use. Students living in residence halls
were most likely to be aware of campus rules and regulations regarding alcohol and other
drug use while fraternity/ sorority members were least likely to be aware of campus rules
and regulations regarding alcohol and other drug use. CSUSB students feel that only 24%
of CSUSB students in general are aware of campus rules and regulations regarding alcohol
and other drug use (See Figure 13).
Figure 13.: Perception of Student Regarding School Policies Toward Alcohol & Drug Use
Considering Campus Rules and Regulations Regarding Alcohol and Other Drug Use,
What Percent of the Student Body Do You Believe...
Percent
... generally knows of and supports these rules and regulations?
... generally knows of and opposes these rules and regulations?
… generally knows of these rules but has no opinion?
… are aware of these rule
Total
34%
21%
21%
24%
100%
OUR CAMPUS CULTURE: FINDINGS FROM THE 2002 CSUSB CAMPUS SURVEY OF
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Likelihood of Consuming Alcohol by Day and Alcohol- Serving Establishments
CSUSB students are most likely to drink on the weekends (See Figure 14). CSUSB
students report that there are bars that offer special priced- drink nights (i.e. 2 for 1 drink
nights, progressive beers, etc.) (See Figure 15).
Figure 14.: Likelihood to Drink Alcohol by Day of the Week
How Likely are
You to Drink
Alcohol on the
Following Days?
Not Likely
Somewhat Likely
Likely
Very Likely
Mondays Tuesdays Wednesdays Thursdays Fridays Saturdays Sundays
82.5%
82.9%
74.2%
71.9%
35.5%
28.6%
66.4%
10.6%
8.8%
12.0%
14.3%
29.0%
30.0%
18.4%
1.8%
2.8%
5.5%
7.4%
15.7%
18.0%
5.1%
1.4%
1.8%
4.6%
2.8%
16.6%
20.3%
6.0%
Figure 15.: Establishments Identified by Students that Have Special College Drink Nights
Top 10 Establishments Identified by CSUSB Students that Offer
Special Priced Drink Nights
Fanatics (North San Bernardino)
27.0%
Branding Iron (San Bernardino)
25.0%
Gotham (Riverside)
10.0%
Applebee's (Highland)
2.0%
Carlos O'Brien's (Riverside)
8.0%
Stampede Stadium (San Bernardino)
8.0%
Margaretville (Rancho Cucamonga)
7.0%
TGI Fridays (San Bernardino)
6.0%
Wooden Nickel (North San Bernardino)
4.0%
Celebrities (North San Bernardino)
3.0%
OUR CAMPUS CULTURE: FINDINGS FROM THE 2002 CSUSB CAMPUS SURVEY OF
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HYPOTHESIS TESTS
Alcohol Use and Students Groups
A one- way ANOVA was calculated comparing the mean alcohol use scores of
Fraternity/ sorority members, Athletes, Athletes & Fraternity/ sorority members, and regular
students (Non- Athlete/ Non- fraternity/ sorority members). A significant difference was
found among the groups (F(3, 212)= 10.43, p < .01). Tukey’s HSD was used to determine
the nature of the differences between the groups. This analysis revealed that students who
were Athletes were more likely to consume alcohol (m= 3.24, sd= 2.86) than regular
students (m= 1.89, sd= 2.18). Students who were Fraternity/ sorority members were not
more likely to consume alcohol (m= 2.90, sd= 1.72) than regular students (m= 1.89, sd=
2.18). Students who were Fraternity/ sorority members were not more likely to consume
alcohol (m= 2.90, sd= 1.72) than athletes (m= 3.24, sd= 2.86). Students who were both
Athletes and Fraternity/ sorority members (m= 6.50, sd= 3.20) were more likely to drink
than all three of the other groups (See Figure 16).
Figure 16.: Mean Alcohol Use Scores by Student Group
6.5
7
6
5
4
3
2.9
3.24
1.89
2
1
0
Regular
Fraternity/
sorority
member
Athlete
Athlete &
Fraternity/
sorority
member
OUR CAMPUS CULTURE: FINDINGS FROM THE 2002 CSUSB CAMPUS SURVEY OF
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Alcohol Use and Housing Status
A one- way ANOVA comparing the mean alcohol use scores of students living in
residence halls, off-campus house/ apartment, and on- campus apartments. No significant
difference was found among the three groups (F(2, 208)= 0.64, p > .05) (See Figure 17)
Figure 17.: Mean Alcohol Use Score by Housing Status
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
4.10
Residence
Halls
3.41
3.65
On- Campus Off- Campus
Apartments Apartment or
House
Alcohol Consumption and Social Norms
A Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated for the relationship between
personal alcohol consumption and their perception of general student alcohol consumption.
A positive correlation was found (r(212) = .223, p< .01). Specifically, perceived social
norms of friends was most correlated with personal alcohol consumption (r(212) = .563, p<
.01). No significant correlations were found between personal alcohol consumption and
perceived social norms of Fraternity/ sorority members, athletes, or by gender.
Binge Drinking and Other Risk Behaviors
A Chi Square Test of Independence was calculated comparing the frequency of
binge drinking and condom use. A significant relationship was found (chi square (1) =
32.84, p < .05). Students who were more likely to binge drink were less likely to use a
condom the last time they had sex.
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CONCLUSIONS
This report suggests that both the amount and frequency of student’s alcohol and
drug use is much less than what is perceived. A side- by- side comparison of the average
number of drinks consumed by students indicates that students perceive that other students,
on average, drink far more drinks than is the actual norm (See Figure 18). Interestingly,
CSUSB students believe that almost 25% of all students do not drink alcohol at all while
they also believe that some students may not drink infrequently. This discrepancy, coupled
with perceived permissiveness of alcohol use, may point out the fact that CSUSB students
believe that college students, in general, drink alcohol. This belief may assert that college
life may be a place where alcohol use is normal and encouraged. Any abstention from
alcohol use may be viewed as periodic rather than a life long choice. Attitudes toward other
drug use, specifically marijuana use, are alarming. Considering the well documented shortterm and long-term effects of marijuana use, almost 43% of CSUSB students have
supportive attitudes regarding marijuana use. Binge drinking among CSUSB students is
high as well as the perceived percentage of students who binge drink. Nonetheless, this
report highlights the fact that responding to this data is both timely and worthwhile. To
obtain more data on alcohol and drug use social norm trends, this study will be conducted
again in Spring 2003.
Traditional responses to the problem of high-risk drinking have included student
education and counseling. This strategy is based on the assumption that college students
excessively use alcohol because they lack knowledge regarding the health risks and that an
increase in knowledge would lead to a decrease in use. Although educational components
are important to some successful interventions, they do not appear to be effective. While
helping to increase individual knowledge and awareness, these approaches have had little
apparent effect on students’ alcohol consumption (DeHann & Trageton, 2001). In some
instances, education awareness campaigns have raised awareness about the danger of
alcohol and drug use and at the same time reinforced students' exaggerated perceptions of
use and peer acceptance (Perkins, 1997). Given the pervasiveness of exaggerated
perceptions of peer drinking norms, it might be better to report data differently, emphasizing
OUR CAMPUS CULTURE: FINDINGS FROM THE 2002 CSUSB CAMPUS SURVEY OF
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the "incidence levels" of the majority who do not participate in high risk alcohol and drug
use behaviors (Perkins, 1997; NIAAA, 2002).
The strategy of communicating actual student norms to dispel myths has been
referred to as the “social norms approach” (Perkins, 2002). As students begin to adhere to
more accurately perceived norms that are relatively moderate, the actual norms become even
more moderate as the process of misperception leading to misuse is reversed (Perkins,
2002). Many interventions have focused on campus- wide media messages using print
media, posters, and announcements while other programs have also focused on specific
student groups with decreases in alcohol use up to 20% (Perkins, 2002). However, any
approach to decreasing alcohol use must be both comprehensive and targeted. For example,
the most effective programs are embedded in a coordinated college health program that
focuses on changing social norms at the student- wide and student- groups levels while
providing primary and secondary prevention activities. This comprehensive approach
includes policy change and relies on cognitive- behavioral strategies to teach students how
to avoid or manage alcohol and drug use (See Figure 19).
Without a strong research base to guide their formulation, program objectives tend to
be nonspecific or unrealistic. Colleges and universities tend to rely on the easiest, least
costly methods of impacting student alcohol use resulting in poor results. Lack of
information also affects a college's capacity to develop a meaningful staffing plan and
budget; these deficiencies often limit program success at the outset. Similarly, when vital
information is not included in program design, used to guide implementation, and monitored
through careful evaluation, results are likely to be disappointing (NIAAA, 2002). As a
result, CSUSB should establish a theory driven, comprehensive approach to alcohol and
drug use prevention that utilizes an existing social norms approach. These efforts should be
evaluated to provide timely information to make mid- course adjustments once the program
has started and to determine the project’s effectiveness. With careful planning,
development, implementation, and evaluation, CSUSB has the potential to shift those social
norms that influence student alcohol use and to change our campus culture regarding alcohol
and drug use.
OUR CAMPUS CULTURE: FINDINGS FROM THE 2002 CSUSB CAMPUS SURVEY OF
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Figure 18.: Comparison of Actual and Perceived Quantity of Student Alcohol Consumption
8
6.60
7
6
5
5.87
4.89
4
3
5.10
4.93
3.24
6.20
4.45
3.68
3.17
2.90
2.23
2.20
2.05
2
1
Students in Athletes
General
Fraternity
Sorority
Members
Students
Who live
OnCampus
Actual
Students
Who Live
OffCampus
Males
Females
Perceived
OUR CAMPUS CULTURE: FINDINGS FROM THE 2002 CSUSB CAMPUS SURVEY OF
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Figure 19.: Summary of Various Approaches to Reducing Alcohol Consumption on College
Campuses.
3-in-1 Framework for College Alcohol Prevention Programs
Level of Operation
Strategy
1: Effective
Individual
General
Student
Population
Community
Combining cognitive-behavioral skills with
Yes
norms clarification & motivational enhancement
intervention
No
No
Offering brief interventions in student health
centers and emergency rooms
Yes
No
No
Challenging alcohol expectancies
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Adapted from NIAAA, 2002.
2: Promising Adopting campus-based policies to reduce
high-risk use (e.g., establishing alcohol-free
activities & dorms)
Increasing enforcement at campus-based
events that promote excessive drinking
Increasing publicity about enforcement of
underage drinking laws/eliminating "mixed”
messages
Consistently enforcing campus disciplinary
actions associated with policy violations
Conducting marketing campaigns to correct
student misperceptions about alcohol use on
campus
Informing new students and parents about
alcohol policies and penalties
3: Ineffective Informational, knowledge-based or values
clarification interventions when used alone
Guest Speakers
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