Evaluating a fear appeal message to reduce alcohol use among "Greeks".
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the impact of a fear appeal message on college students' drinking behavior using the extended parallel process model.


METHODS
A survey was administered to a random sample of undergraduates (n=224) in 38 national fraternal organizations.


RESULTS
Both perceived efficacy and perceived threat were significantly correlated with drinking behavior. There was a significant difference both in drinking behavior and attendance at alcohol-free events between those who heard and those who did not hear the message.


CONCLUSIONS
Theoretically based fear appeal messages may be a useful way to promote responsible drinking among college students.
Moscato
S
S
Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association, Springfield, USA.
Black
D R
DR
Blue
C L
CL
Mattson
M
M
Galer-Unti
R A
RA
Coster
D C
DC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000208:ethnology; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology