Normative misperceptions about alcohol use in a general population sample of problem drinkers from a large metropolitan city
Date
2012
Authors
Cunningham, John
Neighbors, Clayton
Wild, Cameron
Humphreys, Keith
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Abstract
Aims: Heavy drinkers tend to overestimate how much others drink (normative fallacy), at least in college samples. Little research has been conducted to evaluate whether normative misperceptions about drinking extend beyond the college population. The present study explored normative misperceptions in an adult general population sample of drinkers. Methods: As part of a larger study, in Toronto, Canada, a random digit dialling telephone survey was conducted with 14,009 participants who drank alcohol at least once per month. Respondents with Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test of eight or more (n = 2757) were asked to estimate what percent of Canadians of their same sex: (a) drank more than they do; (b) were abstinent and (c) drank seven or more drinks per week. Respondents' estimates of these population drinking norms were then compared with the actual levels of alcohol consumption in the Canadian population. Results: A substantial level of normative misperception was observed for estimates of levels of drinking in the general population. Estimates of the proportion of Canadians who were abstinent were fairly accurate. There was some evidence of a positive relationship between the respondents' own drinking severity and the extent of normative misperceptions. Little evidence was found of a relationship between degree of normative misperceptions and age. Conclusion: Normative misperceptions have been successfully targeted in social norms media campaigns as well as in personalized feedback interventions for problem drinkers. The present research solidifies the empirical bases for extending these interventions more widely into the general population.
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Keywords
Keywords: adult; alcohol abstinence; alcohol consumption; article; consumer health information; drinking behavior; female; health survey; human; major clinical study; male; patient attitude; population research; priority journal; sex difference; teleconsultation; t
Citation
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Source
Alcohol and Alcoholism
Type
Journal article