Type of Student Residence as a Factor in College Students' Alcohol Consumption and Social Normative Perceptions Regarding Alcohol Use

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to determine alcohol use (particularly heavy drinking) and social normative estimations of alcohol use according to student residence (fraternity, sorority, residence hall, or apartment complex). To achieve this purpose, a survey was conducted in all 34 sections of a general education core English class at a northwestern public university. Students living in fraternities, compared with males living in apartment complexes and residence halls, consumed more alcohol, engaged more frequently in heavy episodic drinking, and drank more when “partying.” A similar pattern was true for females living in sororities relative to females students living in apartment complexes and residence halls. In most cases, social normative estimations were higher than reported use among those living in fraternities, sororities, residence halls, and apartment complexes. As hypothesized, social normative estimates of alcohol use were highest among students living in fraternities and sororities. Thus, it appears that social normative estimations of frequent and heavy drinking may contribute to alcohol use patterns, particularly among members of fraternities and sororities. These results confirm that students' choice of residence is a dominant influence when it comes to drinking behavior.

KEYWORDS:

• Social norms
• college students
• alcohol consumption
• heavy drinking
• Greek membership
• health communications