Misperceptions of college student marijuana use: implications for prevention.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigates the relationship between marijuana use, perceived norms of use by friends and students in general, and negative experiences or problems from alcohol and drug use. It was hypothesized that students would overestimate the marijuana use of students in general and that perceptions about the prevalence of marijuana use would be related to drug-related consequences.


METHODS
In this study, 5,990 participants provided information on the perceptions and consequences of drug use via an online survey or via a paper-based survey.


RESULTS
Although two thirds of participants reported no marijuana use, 98% of respondents incorrectly predicted that students in general use marijuana at least once per year. Perceptions of use by friends and students in general accounted for variance in drug use and related problems or experiences.


CONCLUSIONS
Given the relationship between norm misperception and behavior with marijuana use, future research could explore the impact of targeting misperceived norms through prevention and intervention efforts.
The Evergreen State College, 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW Seminar 14130, Olympia, Washington 98505, USA. kilmerj@evergreen.edu
Jason R
JR
Kilmer
Denise D
DD
Walker
Christine M
CM
Lee
Rebekka S
RS
Palmer
Kimberly A
KA
Mallett
Patricia
P
Fabiano
Mary E
ME
Larimer
D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012931:Social Environment; D012932:Social Facilitation; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014861:Washington
D002186:Cannabinoids