Guide to Marketing Social Norms for Health Promotion in Schools and Communities

This comprehensive, step-by-step manual was designed specifically for those who want to use the social norms approach to address school-age and community-wide issues, and it provides both the theoretical and practical information to do so effectively, and with fidelity to the model. As such, it will be a valuable resource for anyone involved in such an effort—be they community members, school administrators and staff, or health promotion professionals.

The contents of the guidebook include:

• Initial Planning
• Data Collection
• Strategy Development
• Implementation
• Evaluation
• Sample "Survey of Student Norms"

The latest version of the guidebook, complete with graphics, is available free in PDF format (DOWNLOAD GUIDEBOOK HERE -- 104 pages).

After reading the guidebook you will want to visit our website devoted entirely to the online survey tools for implementing and evaluating social norms interventions: Social Norm Surveys Online. There you will find a copy of the "Survey of Student Norms" that appears in the guidebook, along with support information and other surveys that focus on bullying and other safety and health issues for youth.

Finally, useful information related to the evaluation of outcome data can be found in the article "Critical Concerns for Evaluating Social Norms Interventions with Survey Data," by H. Wesley Perkins, Ph.D. Based on a presentation given by Dr. Perkins in early 2005 to a select meeting of universities using the social norms approach to address alcohol-related issues, this article contains important information for those who are involved in the evaluation of outcome data, no matter the issue addressed.

Related Links:

Alcohol Education Project - Directed by Professor H. Wesley Perkins (Sociology) and David W. Craig (Biochemistry) of Hobart & William Smith Colleges, this Project provides resources, research support, and consulation for applying the social norms approach to problems of alcohol and drug misuse in a variety of school and community settings.

Youth Health & Safety Project - Directed by Professor H. Wesley Perkins (Sociology) and David W. Craig (Biochemistry) of Hobart & William Smith Colleges, this program expands the application of social norms through research and consultation to a broad range of middle and high school behavioral issues including: 1) bullying, 2) body image, 3) sexual activity, 4) traffic safety, 5) tobacco use, and 6) alcohol and other drug use.

Michael P. Haines & Associates - Independent consultants that support, promote and provide technical assistance in the application of the social norms approach to a broad range of health, safety and social justice issues, including alcohol-related risk-reduction and the prevention of tobacco abuse.

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