164 JOURNAL OF STUDIES ON ALCOHOL / SUPPLEMENT NO. 14, 2002 Social Norms and the Prevention of Alcohol Misuse in Collegiate Contexts

ABSTRACT. Objective: This article provides a review of conceptual and empirical studies on the role of social norms in college student al-cohol use and in prevention strategies to counter misuse. The norma-tive influences of various constituencies serving as reference groups for students are examined as possible factors influencing students ’ drink-ing behavior. Method: A review of English language studies was con-ducted. Results: Parental norms have only modest impact on students once they enter college beyond the residual effects of previously instilled drinking attitudes and religious traditions. Faculty could theoretically provide a positive influence on student drinking behavior, but there is little evidence in the literature that faculty norms and expectations about avoiding alcohol misuse are effectively communicated to students. Al-though the norms of resident advisers (RAs) should ideally provide a restraint on student alcohol misuse, the positive influence of RAs is lim-ited by their negotiated compromises with students whom they overse