title: Social-norms interventions for light and nondrinking students.
abstract: Social-norms approaches to alcohol prevention are based on consistent findings that most students overestimate the prevalence of drinking among their peers. Most interventions have been developed for heavy-drinking students, and the applicability of social-norms approaches among abstaining or light-drinking students has yet to be evaluated. The present research aimed to evaluate the impact of two types of online social-norms interventions developed for abstaining or light-drinking students. Identification with other students was evaluated as a moderator. Participants included 423 freshmen and sophomore college students who reported never or rarely drinking at screening. Students were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (a) personalized-norms feedback, (b) social-norms marketing ads, or (c) attention control. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models. Results provided some support for both interventions but were stronger for social-norms marketing ads, particularly among participants who identified more closely with other students.
authors.affiliation: University of Houston.
authors.forename: Clayton
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Neighbors
authors.affiliation: University of Washington.
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.affiliation: University of Houston.
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tidwell
authors.affiliation: University of Washington.
authors.forename: Theresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.affiliation: University of Houston.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fossos
authors.affiliation: University of Washington.
authors.forename: Melissa A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lewis
keywords: abstainers; alcohol; feedback; social identity; social norms