Social context of drinking moderates associations between descriptive norms and alcohol consumption among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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| Title: | Social context of drinking moderates associations between descriptive norms and alcohol consumption among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. |
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| Authors: | Strowger, Megan (AUTHOR), Junkin, Emily (AUTHOR), Lau-Barraco, Cathy (AUTHOR), Braitman, Abby L. (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Journal of American College Health. Apr2026, Vol. 74 Issue 4, p942-948. 7p. |
| Subjects: | Cross-sectional method, Research funding, T-test (Statistics), Undergraduates, Questionnaires, Multiple regression analysis, Social norms, Alcohol drinking in college, Data analysis software, COVID-19 pandemic, Friendship |
| Geographic Terms: | United States |
| Abstract: | Objective: The current study examined (1) differences in close friend drinking norms from pre-pandemic to during the pandemic, and (2) how COVID-19 social drinking contexts (in-person, virtual) moderated associations between during-pandemic close friend norms and consumption. Participants: Undergraduate students (N = 469; 75.5% female; 57.6% White) were recruited from a minority-serving university in the United States. Methods: Participants completed an online survey about pre-pandemic (retrospectively assessed) and during pandemic (Oct – Dec 2020) close friend descriptive drinking norms, pandemic-related social drinking contexts, and alcohol use. Results: Close friend drinking norms were higher during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic. The association between close friend drinking frequency norms and alcohol consumption frequency was strongest among those reporting in-person pandemic drinking. Conclusions: Normative beliefs remain strong predictors of drinking behavior even when social contact may be limited, although social contact enhances these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Objective: The current study examined (1) differences in close friend drinking norms from pre-pandemic to during the pandemic, and (2) how COVID-19 social drinking contexts (in-person, virtual) moderated associations between during-pandemic close friend norms and consumption. Participants: Undergraduate students (N = 469; 75.5% female; 57.6% White) were recruited from a minority-serving university in the United States. Methods: Participants completed an online survey about pre-pandemic (retrospectively assessed) and during pandemic (Oct – Dec 2020) close friend descriptive drinking norms, pandemic-related social drinking contexts, and alcohol use. Results: Close friend drinking norms were higher during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic. The association between close friend drinking frequency norms and alcohol consumption frequency was strongest among those reporting in-person pandemic drinking. Conclusions: Normative beliefs remain strong predictors of drinking behavior even when social contact may be limited, although social contact enhances these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 07448481 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/07448481.2025.2520375 |
