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
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