The Social Norms Approach and Student Survey Summary
The Independent Schools of St. Louis (ISSL) is collaborating with Chaminade, Chesterfield Day, Crossroads, MICDS, Nerinx, Priory, TJ, Villa, Visitation and Westminster to use a
Social Norms approach to reduce alcohol-related risks and extend alcohol non-use by high school students.
What is the Social Norms approach?
The Social Norms approach is an evidence-based innovative method of health promotion and risk reduction. It has been used successfully throughout the United States in high schools and colleges to reduce smoking and alcohol abuse. The ISSL Social Norms Project will focus on alcohol.
The Social Norms approach is based on four fundamental points:
- A person’s perceptions of group expectations and peer conduct (social norms) strongly influence that person’s behavior.
- Students, parents, and teachers misperceive student alcohol use and non-use. They all overestimate student use and underestimate both student and parent protective practices.
- This misperception of alcohol use and non-use creates imaginary peer pressure to use alcohol; a tolerance and even an expectation to use alcohol; and causes students to
suppress or hide their norm of healthy behavior.
- Providing frequent exposure to credible information highlighting the actual norms of alcohol non-use and describing healthy protective practices will correct the misperception, increase non-use, and reduce risk.
What do we know about alcohol and students in St. Louis area private schools?
In spring of 2005 students, parents and teachers at the participating schools were surveyed.
Most Students are NOT Drinkers
The data clearly indicate that most ISSL students are not drinkers.
- 15% “typically drink alcohol when socializing with friends”
- 15% drive after drinking
- 38% identify themselves as drinkers (“I am a drinker…” )
- 49% “drank at least one drink in the last 30 days”
Alcohol-related Harm is Rare
It should come as no surprise then, that serious consequences related to alcohol use are relatively rare for ISSL students.
- 97% no interference with school
- 95% no trouble with police
- 96% no injury to others
- 89% no injury to self
Students Think Most other Students are Drinkers
|
Perception of typical
student at their school: |
Actual student: |
typically drink alcohol
when socializing with friends |
30% |
15% |
| drive after drinking |
73% |
15% |
drank at least one drink
in the last 30 days |
92% |
49% |
Parents and Teachers also Think More Students Drink than Actually Do!
|
Teacher Perception
of typical student: |
Parent Perception
of typical student: |
Actual student: |
drank at least one drink
in the last 30 days |
88% |
81% |
49% |
How will students, parents, and teachers be informed?
A variety of methods including posters, direct mail, flyers, and special events will be used to highlight and deliver information about non-use and protective norms to students,
parents, and teachers.
Where can I get more information?
Summaries of the student, parent and teacher data can be viewed at the ISSL web page: www.independentschools.org. Posters displayed in the high schools will be posted to the ISSL
web page as they are run in the schools. For more information about Social Norms theory, case studies, and research, please go to the National Social Norm Resource Center at
www.socialnorm.org.
« Back to the ISSL Social Norms Main Page
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