Permissive Norms and Young Adults' Alcohol and Marijuana Use: the Role of Online Communities

Overview

Journal J Stud Alcohol Drugs

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2012 Oct 6

PMID 23036215

Citations 31

Authors

Sarah A Stoddard

Jose A Bauermeister

Deborah Gordon-Messer

Michelle Johns

Marc A Zimmerman

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: Young adults are increasingly interacting with their peer groups online through social networking sites. These online interactions may reinforce or escalate alcohol and other drug (AOD) use as a result of more frequent and continuous exposure to AOD promotive norms; however, the influence of young adults' virtual networks on AOD use remains untested. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between the presence of AOD use content in online social networking, perceived norms (online norms regarding AOD use and anticipated regret with AOD use postings), and alcohol and marijuana use in a sample of 18- to 24-year-olds.

Method: Using an adapted web version of respondent-driven sampling (webRDS), we recruited a sample of 18- to 24-year-olds (N = 3,448) in the United States. Using multivariate regression, we explored the relationship between past-30-day alcohol and marijuana use, online norms regarding AOD use, peer substance use, and online and offline peer support.

Results: Alcohol use was associated with more alcohol content online. Anticipated regret and online peer support were associated with less alcohol use. Anticipated regret was negatively associated with marijuana use. Peer AOD use was positively associated with both alcohol and marijuana use.

Conclusions: Peers play an important role in young adult alcohol and marijuana use, whether online or in person. Our findings highlight the importance of promoting online network-based AOD prevention programs for young adults in the United States.

Citing Articles

Cross-substance Effects of Adolescent Exposure to Alcohol Content in Popular Movies on Cannabis Initiation.

Corcoran E, Janssen T, Gabrielli J, Jackson K Cannabis. 2024; 7(2):38-50.

PMID: 38975602 PMC: 11225985. DOI: 10.26828/cannabis/2024/000200.

Design and implementation of a web-based, respondent-driven sampling solution.

McGowan C, Ekoriko P, Alhaffar M, Cassidy-Seyoum S, Whitbread S, Rogers P BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. 2023; 23(1):113.

PMID: 37407971 PMC: 10320937. DOI: 10.1186/s12911-023-02217-0.

A randomized controlled trial of social media interventions for risky drinking among adolescents and emerging adults.

Bonar E, Bauermeister J, Blow F, Bohnert A, Bourque C, Coughlin L Drug Alcohol Depend. 2022; 237:109532.

PMID: 35759874 PMC: 9745675. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109532.

Using social network methodology to examine the effects of exposure to alcohol-related social media content on alcohol use: A critical review.

Strowger M, Braitman A Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. 2022; 31(1):280-293.

PMID: 35357872 PMC: 10107381. DOI: 10.1037/pha0000561.

A social media intervention for cannabis use among emerging adults: Randomized controlled trial.

Bonar E, Goldstick J, Chapman L, Bauermeister J, Young S, McAfee J Drug Alcohol Depend. 2022; 232:109345.

PMID: 35144238 PMC: 9549699. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109345.

References

Procidano M, Heller K . Measures of perceived social support from friends and from family: three validation studies. Am J Community Psychol. 1983; 11(1):1-24. DOI: 10.1007/BF00898416. View

Hawkins J, Catalano R, MILLER J . Risk and protective factors for alcohol and other drug problems in adolescence and early adulthood: implications for substance abuse prevention. Psychol Bull. 1992; 112(1):64-105. DOI: 10.1037/0033-2909.112.1.64. View

Sandberg T, Conner M . Anticipated regret as an additional predictor in the theory of planned behaviour: a meta-analysis. Br J Soc Psychol. 2007; 47(Pt 4):589-606. DOI: 10.1348/014466607X258704. View

Reifman A, Watson W . Binge drinking during the first semester of college: continuation and desistance from high school patterns. J Am Coll Health. 2004; 52(2):73-81. DOI: 10.1080/07448480309595727. View

Rosenquist J, Murabito J, Fowler J, Christakis N . The spread of alcohol consumption behavior in a large social network. Ann Intern Med. 2010; 152(7):426-33, W141. PMC: 3343772. DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-152-7-201004060-00007. View

Cooke R, Sniehotta F, Schuz B . Predicting binge-drinking behaviour using an extended TPB: examining the impact of anticipated regret and descriptive norms. Alcohol Alcohol. 2006; 42(2):84-91. DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agl115. View

Lewis M, Neighbors C . Gender-specific misperceptions of college student drinking norms. Psychol Addict Behav. 2005; 18(4):334-9. DOI: 10.1037/0893-164X.18.4.334. View

Christiansen M, Vik P, Jarchow A . College student heavy drinking in social contexts versus alone. Addict Behav. 2002; 27(3):393-404. DOI: 10.1016/s0306-4603(01)00180-0. View

Baer J, Stacy A, Larimer M . Biases in the perception of drinking norms among college students. J Stud Alcohol. 1991; 52(6):580-6. DOI: 10.15288/jsa.1991.52.580. View

10.

Thombs D, Wolcott B, Farkash L . Social context, perceived norms and drinking behavior in young people. J Subst Abuse. 1997; 9:257-67. DOI: 10.1016/s0899-3289(97)90020-1. View

11.

Borsari B, Carey K . How the quality of peer relationships influences college alcohol use. Drug Alcohol Rev. 2006; 25(4):361-70. PMC: 2635065. DOI: 10.1080/09595230600741339. View

12.

Fondacaro M, Heller K . Social support factors and drinking among college student males. J Youth Adolesc. 2013; 12(4):285-99. DOI: 10.1007/BF02088727. View

13.

Lee C, Geisner I, Lewis M, Neighbors C, Larimer M . Social motives and the interaction between descriptive and injunctive norms in college student drinking. J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2007; 68(5):714-21. DOI: 10.15288/jsad.2007.68.714. View

14.

Mallett K, Bachrach R, Turrisi R . Examining the unique influence of interpersonal and intrapersonal drinking perceptions on alcohol consumption among college students. J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2009; 70(2):178-85. PMC: 2653604. DOI: 10.15288/jsad.2009.70.178. View

15.

Moreno M, Christakis D, Egan K, Brockman L, Becker T . Associations between displayed alcohol references on Facebook and problem drinking among college students. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2011; 166(2):157-63. PMC: 3266463. DOI: 10.1001/archpediatrics.2011.180. View

16.

Valente T, Gallaher P, Mouttapa M . Using social networks to understand and prevent substance use: a transdisciplinary perspective. Subst Use Misuse. 2004; 39(10-12):1685-712. DOI: 10.1081/ja-200033210. View

17.

Wood M, Read J, Palfai T, Stevenson J . Social influence processes and college student drinking: the mediational role of alcohol outcome expectancies. J Stud Alcohol. 2001; 62(1):32-43. DOI: 10.15288/jsa.2001.62.32. View

18.

Brenner A, Bauermeister J, Zimmerman M . Neighborhood variation in adolescent alcohol use: examination of socioecological and social disorganization theories. J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2011; 72(4):651-9. PMC: 3125888. DOI: 10.15288/jsad.2011.72.651. View

19.

Bauermeister J, Zimmerman M, Johns M, Glowacki P, Stoddard S, Volz E . Innovative recruitment using online networks: lessons learned from an online study of alcohol and other drug use utilizing a web-based, respondent-driven sampling (webRDS) strategy. J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2012; 73(5):834-8. PMC: 3410951. DOI: 10.15288/jsad.2012.73.834. View

20.

Borsari B, Carey K . Peer influences on college drinking: a review of the research. J Subst Abuse. 2002; 13(4):391-424. DOI: 10.1016/s0899-3289(01)00098-0. View