title: [Perceived norms among university students of three health courses for drug use among peers].
abstract: The present study interviewed second- and third-year students of three health courses to identify university students' estimates for drug use (perceived norm), the rate of drug use among the subjects (real norm); compare the estimates with the actual frequency; and identify in what conditions the drugs are used. Students overestimated their peers' use of tobacco, marijuana and cocaine in life and over the last 12 months. Alcohol was an exception. The rate values reported by sample students and the general estimated use were rather close. Drugs are usually consumed at parties and among friends from the university. Data analysis was performed in the light of the Social Norms Theory, Causal Attribution and Normalization.
authors.affiliation: Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil. anacar@eerp.usp.br
authors.forename: Ana Maria Pimenta
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Strike
authors.forename: Bruna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brands
authors.forename: Maria da Gloria Miotto
authors.initials: Mda G
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D013334:Students; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult