Descriptive alcohol surveys have traditionally been utilized to provide
data about student drinking patterns and problems and to assess the need for
programming efforts. Other potential
contributions of survey research may be as important, however, for
understanding and addressing the causes and mechanisms by which students
develop problems of alcohol abuse. An
expanded approach to alcohol survey use is suggested which is based on the
collection of data regarding students’ perceptions of peer norms as well as
personal attitudes towards alcohol use.
Misperceptions of alcohol use in residences and on campus in general may
influence individual drinking and when corrected may result in more responsible
drinking behaviors. Thus peer
environment data may be integrated into alcohol education and programming efforts
to help correct these misperceptions.
Furthermore, first-hand participation in this type of survey may be a
consciousness-raising catalyst among students by helping them to examine their
own consumption behaviors and the influences of peers. These uses of surveys are illustrated with
case study examples from an ongoing project connected with counseling and
educational outreach activities in an undergraduate college community. Alcohol abuse programs in various peer
intensive environments may similarly find that in periodic surveys of
constituencies can enhance and contribute to more traditional counseling and
education efforts.