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Effects of a brief web-based “social norms”-intervention on alcohol, tobacco and cannabis use among german university students: results of a cluster-controlled trial conducted at eight universities

Background and Aim: “Social norms” (SN)-interventions are aimed at changing existing misperceptions regarding peer substance use by providing feedback on actual norms, thereby affecting personal substance use. It is unknown whether SN-intervention effects previously demonstrated in US students can b...

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Main Authors: Pischke, Claudia Ruth (Author) , Helmer, S. M. (Author) , Pohlabeln, H. (Author) , Muellmann, S. (Author) , Schneider, Sven (Author) , Reintjes, R. (Author) , Schmidt-Pokrzywniak, A. (Author) , Girbig, M. (Author) , Krämer, A. (Author) , Icks, A. (Author) , Walter, U. (Author) , Zeeb, Hajo (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: 14 May 2021
In: Frontiers in Public Health
Year: 2021, Volume: 9, Pages: 1-14
ISSN:2296-2565
DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2021.659875
Online Access:Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.659875
Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpubh.2021.659875
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Author Notes:C.R. Pischke, S.M. Helmer, H. Pohlabeln, S. Muellmann, S. Schneider, R. Reintjes, A. Schmidt-Pokrzywniak, M. Girbig, A. Krämer, A. Icks, U. Walter and H. Zeeb
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Summary:Background and Aim: “Social norms” (SN)-interventions are aimed at changing existing misperceptions regarding peer substance use by providing feedback on actual norms, thereby affecting personal substance use. It is unknown whether SN-intervention effects previously demonstrated in US students can be replicated in German students. The aim of the INSIST-study was to examine the effects of a web-based SN-intervention on substance use.Design: Cluster-controlled trial.Setting: Eight Universities in Germany.Participants and Measurements: Students were recruited at four intervention vs. four delayed intervention control Universities. 4,463 students completed baseline, 1,255 students (59% female) completed both baseline and 5-months follow-up web-based surveys on personal and perceived peer substance use. Intervention participants received feedback contrasting personal and perceived peer use with previously assessed use and perceptions of same-sex, same-university peers. Intervention effects were assessed via multivariable mixed logistic regression models.Findings: Relative to controls, reception of SN-feedback was associated with higher odds for decreased alcohol use (OR: 1.91, 95% CI 1.42-2.56). This effect was most pronounced in students overestimating peer use at baseline and under or accurately estimating it at follow-up (OR: 6.28, 95% CI 2.00-19.8). The OR was 1.33 (95% CI 0.67-2.65) for decreased cannabis use in students at intervention Universities and was statistically significant at 1.70 (95% CI 1.13-2.55) when contrasting unchanged and decreased with increased use. Regarding tobacco use and episodes of drunkenness, no intervention effects were found.Conclusions: This study was the first cluster-controlled trial suggesting beneficial effects of web-based SN-intervention on alcohol and cannabis use in a large sample of German University students.Clinical Trial Registration: The trial registration number of the INSIST-study is DRKS00007635 at the “German Clinical Trials Register.”
Item Description:Gesehen am 22.09.2021
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:2296-2565
DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2021.659875

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