Perceived behavioral alcohol norms predict drinking for college students while studying abroad

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• College students studying abroad may be at higher risk for increased alcohol consumption.
• Pre-abroad perceptions of drinking behavior among study abroad students are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore if college students studying abroad are at risk for increased drinking.
• To examine the relationship between pre-abroad perceptions of drinking and actual drinking behavior while abroad.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to 91 students before and during their study abroad experience.
• Data collected included demographics, pre-abroad drinking, perceptions of drinking abroad, and actual drinking behavior.

Main Results:

• Pre-abroad perceptions and intentions to drink were associated with actual drinking behavior abroad.
• Perceptions of drinking norms significantly predicted actual drinking, even more than intentions.
• Students with higher pre-abroad perceived drinking norms showed a significant increase in their own drinking behavior.

Conclusions:

• Perceived drinking norms are a key factor in study abroad student drinking behavior.
• Pre-abroad perceptions of drinking predict actual drinking and increases in consumption.
• Providing accurate drinking norms to prospective students may help mitigate increased or heavy drinking.