The Role of Perceived Control in Alcohol Prevention Campaigns

Abstract

Optimistic bias provides a framework in this study to consider college students' knowledge about and perceptions of control over the effect of alcohol consumption on genes and health. Participants were 339 college students who completed a survey on genetics in the spring of 2001. This study confirmed that there is a significant relationship between knowledge and perceived control. In addition, the prediction that there are no differences between heavy and light drinkers with respect to their perceived knowledge and perceived control was supported. These results suggest the need to reconsider how prevention programs promote control over alcohol's use and effects because of the perceptions of invulnerability that may accompany feelings of control.

Keywords:

• Alcohol prevention
• Optimistic bias
• Perceived control

Notes

This manuscript is based on research conducted as part of Janice L. Krieger's Master's thesis. This research is a part of a larger study on the lay public's understanding of human genetics research. This research was supported by grant R06/CCR319514 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Janice L. Krieger

Janice L. Krieger (M.A., The Pennsylvania State University, 2001) is a graduate student in the Department of Communication Arts & Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University.

Roxanne L. Parrott

Roxanne L. Parrott (Ph.D., University of Arizona, 1990) is a professor in the Department of Communication Arts & Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University.

Walid A. Afifi

Walid A. Afifi (Ph.D., University of Arizona, 1996) is an associate professor in the Department of Communication at the University of California, Santa Barbara.