Event Title

Frequency of Binge Drinking, Perceived Drinking Norms, and Their Impact on Social Intimacy at Colby College

Location

Parker-Reed, SSWAC

Start Date

1-5-2014 2:00 PM

End Date

1-5-2014 3:00 PM

Project Type

Poster

Description

Binge drinking is a pervasive problem that affects numerous college campuses. Many students suffer negative physical and psychological consequences as a result of binge drinking behavior. However, previous research has established a relationship between binge drinking and an increased sense of social intimacy. It is unclear why those who did not binge felt decreased social intimacy and why binge drinking correlates with increased feelings of social intimacy. The purpose of our study is to investigate this question by exploring the potential role of perceived drinking norms as a moderator for binge drinking and social intimacy. To do this, we sent Colby students a link to an online survey assessing intimacy, binge drinking, and perceived drinking norms. Students were classified as norm match if their binge drinking frequency was similar to their perceived frequency for the average Colby College student and norm mismatch if their behavior was different from what they perceived for the average student. We expect norm match will strengthen the relationship between binge drinking and intimacy while norm mismatch will weaken the relationship. By examining the role of perceived drinking norms, we can further elucidate how binge drinking and relationships are influenced by peer behavior.

Faculty Sponsor

Allecia Reid McCarthy

Sponsoring Department

Colby College. Psychology Dept.

CLAS Field of Study

Social Sciences

Event Website

http://www.colby.edu/clas

ID

792

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May 1st, 2:00 PM May 1st, 3:00 PM

Frequency of Binge Drinking, Perceived Drinking Norms, and Their Impact on Social Intimacy at Colby College

Parker-Reed, SSWAC

Binge drinking is a pervasive problem that affects numerous college campuses. Many students suffer negative physical and psychological consequences as a result of binge drinking behavior. However, previous research has established a relationship between binge drinking and an increased sense of social intimacy. It is unclear why those who did not binge felt decreased social intimacy and why binge drinking correlates with increased feelings of social intimacy. The purpose of our study is to investigate this question by exploring the potential role of perceived drinking norms as a moderator for binge drinking and social intimacy. To do this, we sent Colby students a link to an online survey assessing intimacy, binge drinking, and perceived drinking norms. Students were classified as norm match if their binge drinking frequency was similar to their perceived frequency for the average Colby College student and norm mismatch if their behavior was different from what they perceived for the average student. We expect norm match will strengthen the relationship between binge drinking and intimacy while norm mismatch will weaken the relationship. By examining the role of perceived drinking norms, we can further elucidate how binge drinking and relationships are influenced by peer behavior.

https://digitalcommons.colby.edu/clas/2014/program/189