scholarly journals How effective is a social norms programme in changing perceived injunctive norms about drug use?

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Stock ◽  
l Vallentin-Holbech
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Social Norms ◽  
Good Life ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Marginal Effect ◽  
The Good Life ◽  
Normative Feedback ◽  
Injunctive Norms ◽  
Response Options

Abstract Social norm theory suggests that students often overestimate the frequency and quantity of drug use among their peers (descriptive norms) as well as how acceptable their peers feel these risky behaviours to be (injunctive norms) and tend to match their own behaviour to this incorrect perception. This study aims to investigate whether a Danish social norms based intervention (The GOOD Life) using both descriptive and injunctive normative information may change students perception of peers' attitudes towards smoking, drinking and using cannabis. In total 38 schools were included in a cluster-randomised controlled trial and allocated to either intervention (n = 641) or control group (n = 714) during 2015/2016. Students (aged 13-17 years) from both groups completed an online survey before the intervention and 3 months after baseline. The GOOD Life intervention provided normative feedback tailored for each school-grade using three communication channels: classroom sessions, posters and web application. Outcome measures were perception of peers' attitude towards: smoking, drinking alcohol, getting drunk and using cannabis. All with five response options from 'never okay' (1) to 'okay' (5). Intervention effects at follow-up were examined using ordinal logistic regression models and marginal effect-estimates. Students in the intervention group were less likely to perceive peers to approve of smoking (Coef: -0.22, p = 0.04, 95%CI [-0.43; -0.01]). The marginal effect estimates showed that compared to the control group, students in the intervention group were 5% more likely to perceive that peers think it is never okay to smoke, 3% less likely to perceive that peers think it is okay to smoke occasionally and 1% less likely to perceive that peers think it is okay to smoke frequently. No significant effects were found for injunctive norms regarding alcohol consumption and cannabis use. Key messages The intervention The GOOD life has potential to produce change in perceived injunctive norms among Danish adolescents. Prevention programmes should thoroughly consider how to incorporate injunctive normative feedback.

scholarly journals Youth Experiences with Social Norms Feedback: Qualitative Findings from The Drug Prevention Trial the GOOD Life

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 3200
Author(s):  
Christiane Stock ◽  
Satayesh Lavasani Kjær ◽  
Birthe Rasmussen ◽  
Lotte Vallentin-Holbech
Keyword(s):  
Social Norms ◽  
Good Life ◽  
Intervention Strategy ◽  
Drug Prevention ◽  
The Good Life ◽  
Normative Feedback ◽  
Web Based ◽  
The Social ◽  
Prevention Programmes ◽  
Group Interviews

Background: Normative feedback is an intervention strategy commonly used in drug prevention programmes. This study collected process evaluation data about how programme recipients engage with social norms (SN) feedback in The GOOD Life intervention and how they experience it. Methods: Eight focus group interviews were conducted with a total of 44 adolescents (pupils aged 14–16 years) who have participated in the social-norms-based intervention The GOOD Life. The interviews focused on three topics: (1) interest in and impact of the intervention; (2) perception of the intervention elements; and (3) suggestions for improvement of The GOOD Life. They were transcribed and analysed with content analysis. Results: The analysis revealed that The GOOD Life motivated pupils to re-evaluate their own drug use behaviour and overall met their interest regarding receiving engaging and non-moral forms of drug prevention programmes. While pupils perceived the normative feedback session in the classroom and the posters with SN messages as positive, stimulating and surprising, the web-based application with SN feedback was rarely used and less positively evaluated. Anonymity and confidentiality were regarded as essential to provide honest answers in the poll. The pupils suggested even more variety in ways to engage them and to use more gaming elements. Conclusions: SN feedback was well perceived by adolescents. The intervention met their interest and needs and was able to achieve the intended impact of challenging norm perceptions. Anonymity and confidentiality are key in order to build trust and engage adolescents in the intervention.

scholarly journals Finding the Right Balance: A Social Norms Intervention to Reduce Heavy Drinking in University Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Wolter ◽  
Tino Lesener ◽  
Tobias Alexander Thomas ◽  
Alicia-Carolin Hentschel ◽  
Burkhard Gusy
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
University Students ◽  
Social Norms ◽  
Alcohol Intake ◽  
Drinking Behavior ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Alcohol Prevention ◽  
Normative Feedback ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: Heavy alcohol consumption constitutes a major health risk among University students. Social relationships with peers strongly affect University students' perception of the drinking behavior of others, which in turn plays a crucial role in determining their own alcohol intake. University students tend to overestimate their peers' alcohol consumption – a belief that is associated with an increase in an individual's own consumption. Therefore, we implemented a social norms intervention with personalized normative feedback at a major University in Germany to reduce and prevent excessive drinking among University students.Methods: Our intervention was part of a regular health monitoring survey. We invited all enrolled University students to take part in this survey on two occasions. A total of 862 University students completed the questionnaire, 563 (65.3%) of which received e-mail-based feedback upon request concerning their peers' and their own alcohol consumption. For the intervention group (n = 190) as well as the control group (no feedback requested; n = 101), we included only University students in the evaluation who overestimated their peers' alcohol use and indicated above average consumption of the peers. We applied analyses of variance to assess intervention effects with regard to the correction of overestimated group norms as well as University students' drinking behavior.Results: Within the intervention group, we observed a significantly larger reduction of the previously overestimated behavioral norms compared to the control group (p < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.06). With regard to behavioral outcomes the intervention group showed a significantly larger reduction in the AUDIT-C score (p = 0.020; ηp2 = 0.03).Discussion: Our study confirms previous research whereupon personalized, gender-specific and selective normative feedback is effective for alcohol prevention among University students. However, University students still overestimated their peers' alcohol intake after the intervention. Furthermore, we did not reach high-risk groups (University students with the highest alcohol intake) since no feedback was requested. Future studies should address factors influencing the impact of the intervention and reachability of selective groups.

scholarly journals Crafting Normative Messages to Protect the Environment

2003 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 105-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert B. Cialdini
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Social Norms ◽  
Adolescent Suicide ◽  
Injunctive Norms ◽  
Descriptive Norms ◽  
Information Campaigns ◽  
Alcohol And Drug Use ◽  
Normative Appeals ◽  
Normative Message ◽  
Normative Messages

It is widely recognized that communications that activate social norms can be effective in producing societally beneficial conduct. Not so well recognized are the circumstances under which normative information can backfire to produce the opposite of what a communicator intends. There is an understandable, but misguided, tendency to try to mobilize action against a problem by depicting it as regrettably frequent. Information campaigns emphasize that alcohol and drug use is intolerably high, that adolescent suicide rates are alarming, and—most relevant to this article—that rampant polluters are spoiling the environment. Although these claims may be both true and well intentioned, the campaigns' creators have missed something critically important: Within the statement “Many people are doing this undesirable thing” lurks the powerful and undercutting normative message “Many people are doing this.” Only by aligning descriptive norms (what people typically do) with injunctive norms (what people typically approve or disapprove) can one optimize the power of normative appeals. Communicators who fail to recognize the distinction between these two types of norms imperil their persuasive efforts.

Application of Community-Based Social Marketing (CBSM) to Increase Recycling Behavior (RB) in Primary Schools

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 297-308
Author(s):  
Sahar Haghighatjoo ◽  
Rahim Tahmasebi ◽  
Azita Noroozi
Keyword(s):  
Social Norms ◽  
Social Marketing ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Group Versus ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Recycling Behavior

Background: Recycling and waste separation is one of the most important policies for the management of municipal solid waste, and notwithstanding the importance of recycling especially at the school age, little research have been conducted in this field. Focus of the Article: In this quasi-experimental study, five steps of community-based social marketing (CBSM) were used for changing of the recycling behavior (RB). Research Question: Do CBSM strategies increase use of recycling containers versus the sole availability of containers? Program Design/Approach: The intervention was implemented in five steps and through seven CBSM strategies that include communication, social diffusion, convenience, incentives, social norms, commitment, and prompts. Importance to the Social Marketing Field: Since the RB will be influenced by environmental context, it cannot be assumed that application of CBSM theory is effective in school field. Therefore, the findings of this study are used to determine the effectiveness of environmental changes based on CBSM theory in the school field. Method: One thousand four hundred fifty-three male and female students from fourth to sixth grade in Bushehr, Iran, were evaluated in intervention and control groups from December 2018 to May 2019. In intervention group, CBSM steps were implemented, and in the control group, only blue bins and containers for recyclable materials were provided. To assess behavior change, a questionnaire consisting of three sections of demographic information, knowledge, and barrier questions was used. RB was evaluated by daily weighing waste and recyclable materials (separated) in two groups from 10 days before to 4 months after intervention. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (Version 16.0). Results: Results reveal that CBSM based strategies increased knowledge in the intervention group versus the control group. Also, CBSM strategies significantly increased the amount of recycling and reduced the waste in the intervention group. The results of this study showed that the sole availability of containers does not increase RB and reduce waste; applying CBSM based strategies is very useful and effective in removing barriers and increasing RB in schools. Recommendation for Research: It is recommended to compare the effectiveness of the application of only some CBSM strategies such as social norms, incentives, and diffusion versus all CBSM strategies for changing of RB in school setting. Limitation: A limitations of this study is that the number of students in the two groups is not the same due to the random selection of schools. Additionally, we could not control for students’ textbook content on recycling.

scholarly journals Prevention of alcohol and other drug use using motivational interviewing among young adults in the Ukraine

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 010111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svitlana Polshkova ◽  
Diana Voloshina ◽  
Rebecca Cunningham ◽  
Robert Zucker ◽  
Maureen Walton
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Brief Intervention ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
World Health ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Risky Drinking ◽  
National Medical

Background World Health Organization data shows alarming rates of alcohol consumption among those ages 15 and older in the Ukraine. This study examined the feasibility and initial efficacy of a brief intervention to reduce risky drinking among emerging adults (ages 18-25) in the Ukraine. Methods Emerging adults presenting to two settings were screened for risky drinking (Railway Clinical Hospital and Kiev National Medical University), with those screening positive on the AUDIT-C (>5) enrolled in the study: 59 participants from the hospital setting (mean age = 22.6 (2.1), 55.9% male) and 61 participants from the university setting (mean age = 20.1(2.3), 55.7% male). After self-administering a computerized baseline assessment, participants were randomized to receive an in-person brief intervention with telephone booster or to a control condition; participants self-administered a computerized follow-up at 3 months. Results Regression analyses were conducted, separately for each setting, predicting alcohol outcomes (alcohol consumption and consequences); models controlled for baseline alcohol levels and condition assignment (brief intervention or control). In both settings, the brief intervention group showed significantly less alcohol consumption and consequences at 3-months as compared to the control group (p<.001); however, the groups did not significantly differ on other drug use (DAST-10 score). Conclusion Findings suggest that brief motivational interventions are promising for reducing risky drinking among emerging adults in the Ukraine in both inpatient hospital and university settings. Future studies are needed to replicate these findings and extend these effects to reduce other drug use among young people in the Ukraine.

scholarly journals A Web-Based Intervention for Users of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants: 3-Month Outcomes of a Randomized Controlled Trial

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. e1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J Tait ◽  
Rebecca McKetin ◽  
Frances Kay-Lambkin ◽  
Bradley Carron-Arthur ◽  
Anthony Bennett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Time Interaction ◽  
Days Out Of Role

Background Among illicit drugs, the prevalence of amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS) use is second only to cannabis. Currently, there are no approved pharmacotherapies for ATS problems, but some face-to-face psychotherapies are effective. Web-based interventions have proven to be effective for some substance use problems, but none has specifically targeted ATS users. Objective The objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a Web-based intervention for ATS problems on a free-to-access site compared with a waitlist control group. Methods We used a randomized controlled trial design. The primary outcome measure was self-reported ATS use in the past three months assessed using the Alcohol, Smoking, Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). Other measures included quality of life (EUROHIS score), psychological distress (K-10 score), days out of role, poly-drug use, general help-seeking intentions, actual help-seeking, and “readiness to change”. The intervention consisted of three fully automated, self-guided modules based on cognitive behavioral therapy and motivation enhancement. The analysis was an intention-to-treat analysis using generalized estimating equation models, with a group by time interaction as the critical assessment. Results We randomized 160 people (intervention n=81, control n=79). At three months, 35/81 (43%) intervention and 45/79 (57%) control participants provided follow-up data. In the intervention group, 51/81 (63%) completed at least one module. The only significant group by time interaction was for days out of role. The pre/post change effect sizes showed small changes (range d=0.14 to 0.40) favoring the intervention group for poly-drug use, distress, actual help-seeking, and days out of role. In contrast, the control group was favored by reductions in ATS use, improvements in quality of life, and increases in help-seeking intentions (range d=0.09 to 0.16). Conclusions This Web-based intervention for ATS use produced few significant changes in outcome measures. There were moderate, but nonsignificant reductions in poly-drug use, distress, days partially out of role, and increases in help-seeking. However, high levels of participant attrition, plus low levels of engagement with the modules, preclude firm conclusions being drawn on the efficacy of the intervention and emphasize the problems of engaging this group of clients in a fully automated program. Trial Registration Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN 12611000947909; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?ACTRN=12611000947909 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6SHTxEnzP).

Reducing Alcohol Use Among High School Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Brief, Web-Based Personalized Normative Feedback Intervention

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-63
Author(s):  
Diana M. Doumas ◽  
Nadine R. Mastroleo
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Normative Feedback ◽  
High School Athletes ◽  
Feedback Intervention ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Personalized Normative Feedback

High school athletes are at risk for heavy alcohol use, which is associated with consequences that may negatively impact performance and eligibility to participate in sports. This study evaluated the efficacy of a web-based personalized normative feedback intervention on reducing alcohol use among high school athletes in their senior year. Class periods were randomized to the intervention or an assessment-only control group. Athletes completed surveys at baseline and at a 6-week follow-up. They were classified as high-risk or low-risk drinkers based on baseline reports of binge drinking. Results indicated that for athletes classified as high-risk drinkers, those in the intervention group reported significantly greater reductions in quantity of weekly drinking and peak drinking quantity compared with those in the assessment-only control group. There were no significant intervention effects for frequency of alcohol use. Findings support the efficacy of web-based personalized normative feedback intervention for reducing alcohol use among high school senior athletes.

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