Underestimating protection and overestimating risk: Examining descriptive normative perceptions and their association with drinking and sexual behaviors

Journal of Sex Research

Volumn 51, Issue 1, 2014, Pages 86-96

  Lewis, Melissa A ^a   Litt, Dana M ^a   Cronce, Jessica M ^a   Blayney, Jessica A ^a   Gilmore, Amanda K ^b  

^a UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON SCHOOL OF MEDICINE   (United States)

^b UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON   (United States)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

ADULT; ARTICLE; DRINKING BEHAVIOR; FEMALE; HIGH RISK BEHAVIOR; HUMAN; MALE; PEER GROUP; PERCEPTION; PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECT; SEX DIFFERENCE; SEXUAL BEHAVIOR; SEXUALITY; SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT; SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY; STATISTICS; STUDENT; UNITED STATES; YOUNG ADULT;

ADULT; ALCOHOL DRINKING; FEMALE; HUMANS; MALE; PEER GROUP; RISK-TAKING; SEX FACTORS; SEXUAL BEHAVIOR; SEXUAL PARTNERS; SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT; SOCIAL PERCEPTION; SOCIAL VALUES; STUDENTS; UNITED STATES; YOUNG ADULT;

EID: 84890856039     PISSN: 00224499     EISSN: 15598519     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2012.710664     Document Type: Article

References (76)

1. Aiken, L. S. & West, S. G. (Eds.). (1991). Multiple regression: Testing and interpreting interactions. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
2. American College Health Association. (2011a). American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment II: Reference group data report, fall 2010. Hanover, MD: Author.
3. American College Health Association. (2011b). American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment II: Reference group executive summary, spring 2011. Hanover, MD: Author.
4. Armitage, C. J., & Conner, M. (2001). Efficacy of the theory of planned behaviour: A meta-analytic review. British Journal of Social Psychology, 40, 471-499. doi:10.1348/014466601164939 (Pubitemid 33597358)
5. Baer, J. S., Stacy, A., & Larimer, M. (1991). Biases in the perception of drinking norms among college students. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 52, 580-586.
6. Bandura, A. (1969). Principles of behavior modification. New York, NY: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston.
7. Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
8. Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
9. Benton, S. L., Downey, R. G., Glider, P. J., & Benton, S. A. (2008). College students' norm perception predicts reported use of protective behavioral strategies for alcohol consumption. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 69, 859-865.
10. Borsari, B., & Carey, K. B. (2003). Descriptive and injunctive norms in college drinking: A meta-analytic integration. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 64, 331-341. (Pubitemid 36629011)
11. Brown, J. L., & Vanable, P. A. (2007). Alcohol use, partner type, and risky sexual behavior among college students: Findings from an event-level study. Addictive Behaviors, 32, 2940-2952. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2007.06.011 (Pubitemid 47464764)
12. Carey, K. B., Scott-Sheldon, L. J., Carey, M. P., Cain, D., Mlobeli, R., Vermaak, R., ... Kalichman, S. C. (2011). Community norms for HIVrisk behaviorsamongmen in a South African township. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 34, 32-40. doi:10.1007/s10865-010-9284-6
13. Centers for Disease Control, & Prevention. (2011). Sexually transmitted diseases-Interactive data 1996-2009: Selected STDs by age, race/ethnicity, and gender, 1996-2009. Retrieved from http://wonder.cdc.gov/std- std-race-age.html
14. Chandra, A., Martinez, G. M., Mosher, W. D., Abma, J. C., & Jones, J. (2005). Fertility, family planning, and reproductive health of U.S. women: Data from the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth. Vital and Health Statistics Series 23, No. 25. DHHS Pub. No. 2006-1977. Hyattsville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics.
15. Chandra, A., Mosher, W. D., Copen, C., & Sionean, C. (2011). Sexual behavior, sexual attraction, and sexual identity in the United States: Data from the 2006-2008 National Survey of Family Growth. National Health Statistics Reports, No. 36. Hyattsville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics.
16. Chernoff, R. A., & Davison, G. C. (2005). An evaluation of a brief HIV/AIDS prevention intervention for college students using normative feedback and goal setting. AIDS Education and Prevention, 17, 91-104. doi:10.1521/aeap.17.3.91.62902 (Pubitemid 40604906)
17. Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
18. Cohen, J. (1992). A power primer. Psychological Bulletin, 112, 155-159.
19. Cohen, J., Cohen, P., West, S. G., & Aiken, L. S. (2003). Applied multiple regression/correlation analysis for the behavioral sciences (3rd ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
20. Collins, R., Parks, G. A., & Marlatt, G. (1985). Social determinants of alcohol consumption: The effects of social interaction andmodel status on the self-administration of alcohol. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 53, 189-200. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.53.2.189 (Pubitemid 15087494)
21. Conley, T. D., & Collins, B. E. (2005). Differences between condom users and condom nonusers in their multidimensional condom attitudes. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 35, 603-620. doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.2005.tb02137.x (Pubitemid 41017031)
22. Cooper, M. (2002). Alcohol use and risky sexual behavior among college students and youth: Evaluating the evidence. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, Suppl. 14, 101-117. (Pubitemid 34441596)
23. Crawford, M., & Popp, D. (2003). Sexual double standards: A review and methodological critique of two decades of research. Journal of Sex Research, 40, 13-26. doi:10.1080/00224490309552163 (Pubitemid 36514642)
24. Cunningham, J. A., Koski-Jännes, A., Wild, T., & Cordingley, J. (2002). Treating alcohol problems with self-help materials: A population study. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 63, 649-654. (Pubitemid 36042312)
25. Douglas, K. A., Collins, J. L., Warren, C., Kann, L., Gold, R., Clayton, S., ... Kolbe, L. J. (1997). Results from the 1995 National College Risk Behavior Survey. Journal of American College Health, 46, 55-66. doi:10.1080/07448489709595589
26. Finer, L. B., & Henshaw, S. K. (2006). Disparities in rates of unintended pregnancy in the United States, 1994 and 2001. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 38, 90-96. doi:10.1363/4307811 (Pubitemid 43882311)
27. Grello, C. M., Welsh, D. P., & Harper, M. S. (2006). No strings attached: The nature of casual sex in college students. Journal of Sex Research, 43, 255-267. doi:10.1080/00224490609552324 (Pubitemid 44320582)
28. Ham, L. S., & Hope, D. A. (2003). College students and problematic drinking: A review of the literature. Clinical Psychology Review, 23, 719-759. doi:10.1016/S0272-7358(03)00071-0 (Pubitemid 37100985)
29. Hamilton, C. J., & Mahalik, J. R. (2009). Minority stress, masculinity, and social norms predicting gay men's health risk behaviors. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 56, 132-141. doi:10.1037/a0014440
30. Hill, B. J., Amick, E. E., & Sanders, S. A. (2011). Condoms and U.S. college-age men and women: Briefly assessing attitudes towards condoms and general condom use behaviours. Sexual Health, 8, 372-377. doi:10.1071/SH10058
31. Hingson, R. W., Edwards, E. M., Heeren, T., & Rosenbloom, D. (2009). Age of drinking onset and injuries, motor vehicle crashes, and physical fights after drinking and when not drinking. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 33, 783-790. doi:10.1111/j.1530-0277.2009.00896.x
32. Hittner, J. B., & Kennington, L. E. (2008). Normative perceptions, substance use, age of substance use initiation and gender as predictors of HIV-risky sexual behavior in a college student sample. Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research, 13, 86-101. doi:10.1111/jabr.2008.13.issue-2
33. Huebner, D. M., Neilands, T. B., Rebchook, G. M., & Kegeles, S. M. (2011). Sorting through chickens and eggs: A longitudinal examination of the associations between attitudes, norms, and sexual risk behavior. Health Psychology, 30, 110-118. doi:10.1037/a0021973
34. Kennedy, S. B., Nolen, S. S., Applewhite, J. J., Waiters, E. E., & Vanderhoff, J. J. (2007). Condom use behaviours among 18-24 year-old urban African American males: A qualitative study. AIDS Care, 19, 1032-1038. doi:10.1080/09540120701235610 (Pubitemid 47402893)
35. Kiene, S. M., Barta, W. D., Tennen, H., & Armeli, S. (2009). Alcohol, helping young adults have unprotected sex with casual partners: Findings from a daily diary study of alcohol use and sexual behavior. Journal of Adolescent Health, 44, 73-80. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2008.05.008
36. Kilmer, J. R., Walker, D. D., Lee, C. M., Palmer, R. S., Mallett, K. A., Fabiano, P., & Larimer, M. E. (2006). Misperceptions of college student marijuana use: Implications for prevention. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 67, 277-281. (Pubitemid 43277295)
37. Larimer, M. E., Kaysen, D. L., Lee, C. M., Kilmer, J. R., Lewis, M. A., Dillworth, T., ... Neighbors, C. (2009). Evaluating level of specificity of normative referents in relation to personal drinking behavior. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, Suppl. 16, 115-121.
38. Lewis, M. A., Lee, C. M., Patrick, M. E., & Fossos, N. (2007). Gender-specific normative misperceptions of risky sexual behavior and alcohol-related risky sexual behavior. Sex Roles, 57, 81-90. doi:10.1007/s11199-007-9218-0
39. Lewis, M. A., Logan, D. E., & Neighbors, C. (2009). Examining the role of gender in the relationship between use of condom-related protective behavioral strategies when drinking and alcohol-related sexual behavior. Sex Roles, 61, 727-735. doi:10.1007/s11199-009-9661-1
40. Lewis, M. A., & Neighbors, C. (2004). Gender-specific misperceptions of college student drinking norms. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 18, 334-339. doi:10.1037/0893-164X.18.4.334 (Pubitemid 40054356)
41. Lewis, M. A., & Neighbors, C. (2006). Social norms approaches using descriptive drinking norms education: A review of the research on personalized normative feedback. Journal of American College Health, 54, 213-218. doi:10.3200/JACH.54.4.213-218 (Pubitemid 43189157)
42. Lewis, M. A., Rees, M., & Lee, C. M. (2009). Gender-specific normative perceptions of alcohol-related protective behavioral strategies. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 23, 539-545. doi:10.1037/a0015176
43. Lynch, J., Mowrey, R., Nesbitt, G., & O'Neill, D. F. (2004). Risky business: Misperceived norms of sexual behavior among college students. Journal of Student Affairs and Practice, 42, 21-35.
44. Lyons, H. (2009). Casual sex in adolescence and young adulthood: A mixed methods approach (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio.
45. Marks, M. J., & Fraley, R. C. (2005). The sexual double standard: Fact or fiction? Sex Roles, 52, 175-186. doi:10.1007/s11199-005-1293-5 (Pubitemid 40366366)
46. Marlatt, G. A., Baer, J. S., Kivlahan, D. R., Dimeff, L. A., Larimer, M. E., Quigley, L. A., ... Williams, E. (1998). Screening and brief intervention for high risk college student drinkers: Results from a 2-year follow-up assessment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 66, 604-615. (Pubitemid 28387749)
47. Martens, M. P., Page, J. C., Mowry, E. S., Damann, K. M., Taylor, K. K., & Cimini, M. (2006). Differences between actual and perceived student norms: An examination of alcohol use, drug use, and sexual behavior. Journal of American College Health, 54, 295-300. doi:10.3200/JACH.54.5.295-300 (Pubitemid 43439971)
48. Martinez, G. M., Chandra, A., Abma, J. C., Jones, J., & Mosher, W. D. (2006). Fertility, contraception, and fatherhood: Data on men and women from Cycle 6 (2002) of the National Survey of Family Growth, National Center for Health Statistics. Vital and Health Statistics Series 23, No. 26. DHHS Pub. No. 2006-1978. Hyattsville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics.
49. McCabe, S., Boyd, C. J., Couper, M. P., Crawford, S., & D'Arcy, H. (2002). Mode effects for collecting alcohol and other drug use data: Web and U.S. mail. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 63, 755-761. (Pubitemid 36042324)
50. Milhausen, R. R., & Herold, E. S. (2001). Reconceptualizing the sexual double standard. Journal of Psychology and Human Sexuality, 13, 63-83. doi:10.1300/J056v13n02-05
51. Miner, M. H., Peterson, J. L., Welles, S. L., Jacoby, S. M., & Rosser, B. (2009). How do social norms impact HIV sexual risk behavior in HIV-positive men who have sex with men? Multiple mediator effects. Journal of Health Psychology, 14, 761-770. doi:10.1177/1359105309338976
52. Mosher, W. D., Chandra, A., & Jones, J. (2005). Sexual behavior and selected health measures: Men and women 15-44 years of age, United States, 2002. Advance Data from Vital and Health Statistics Series, No. 362. DHHS Pub. No. 2005-1520. Hyattsville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics.
53. Neighbors, C., Dillard, A. J., Lewis, M.A., Bergstrom, R. L., & Neil, T. (2006). Normative misperceptions and temporal precedence of perceivednorms anddrinking. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 67, 290-299. (Pubitemid 43277297)
54. Neighbors, C., Larimer, M. E., & Lewis, M. A. (2004). Targeting misperceptions of descriptive drinking norms: Efficacy of a computer-delivered personalized normative feedback Intervention. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 72, 434-447. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.72.3.434 (Pubitemid 38679641)
55. Neighbors, C., Lee, C. M., Lewis, M. A., Fossos, N., & Larimer, M. E. (2007). Are social norms the best predictor of outcomes among heavy-drinking college students? Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 68, 556-565. (Pubitemid 47092985)
56. Noar, S. M., Morokoff, P. J., & Harlow, L. L. (2002). Condom negotiation in heterosexually active men and women: Development and validation of a condom influence strategy questionnaire. Psychology and Health, 17, 711-735. doi:10.1080/0887044021000030580
57. Noar, S. M., Morokoff, P. J., & Redding, C. A. (2001). An examination of transtheoretical predictors of condom use in late-adolescent heterosexual men. Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research, 6, 1-26. doi:10.1111/j.1751- 9861.2001.tb00104.x
58. Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2004). Gender differences in risk factors and consequences for alcohol use and problems. Clinical Psychology Review, 24, 981-1010. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2004.08.003 (Pubitemid 40247305)
59. Page, R.M., Hammermeister, J. J., & Scanlan, A. (2000). Everybody's not doing it:Misperceptions of college students' sexual activity. American Journal of Health Behavior, 24, 387-394. doi:10.5993/AJHB.24.5.7
60. Patrick, M. E., & Maggs, J. L. (2009). Does drinking lead to sex? Daily alcohol-sex behaviors and expectancies among college students. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 23, 472-481. doi:10.1037/a0016097
61. Perkins, H. (2002). Surveying the damage: A review of research on consequences of alcohol misuse in college populations. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, Suppl. 14, 91-100. (Pubitemid 34441595)
62. Perkins, H., Linkenbach, J. W., Lewis, M. A., & Neighbors, C. (2010). Effectiveness of social norms media marketing in reducing drinking and driving: A statewide campaign. Addictive Behaviors, 35, 866-874. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh. 2010.05.004
63. Perkins, H., & Wechsler, H. (1996). Variation in perceived college drinking norms and its impact on alcohol abuse: A nationwide study. Journal of Drug Issues, 26, 961-974. (Pubitemid 27030167)
64. Peterson, J. L., & Bakeman, R. (2006). Impact of beliefs about HIV treatment and peer condom norms on risky sexual behavior among gay and bisexual men. Journal of Community Psychology, 34, 37-46. doi:10.1002/jcop.20082 (Pubitemid 43170676)
65. Reece, M., Herbenick, D., & Dodge, B. (2009). Penile dimensions and men's perceptions of condom fit and feel. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 85, 127-131. doi:10.1136/sti.2008.033050
66. Rosenthal, R., & Rosnow, R. L. (1991). Essentials of behavioral research: Methods and data analysis (2nd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
67. Santelli, J. S., Brener, N. D., Lowry, R., Bhatt, A., & Zabin, L. S. (1998). Multiple sexual partners among U.S. adolescents and young adults. Family Planning Perspectives, 30, 271-275.
68. Scholly, K., Katz, A. R., Gascoigne, J., & Holck, P. S. (2005). Using social norms theory to explain perceptions and sexual health behaviors of undergraduate college students: An exploratory study. Journal of American College Health, 53, 159-166. doi:10.3200/JACH.53.4.159-166 (Pubitemid 40139027)
69. Seal, D., & Agostinelli, G. G. (1996). College students' perceptions of the prevalence of risky sexual behaviour. AIDS Care, 8, 453-466. doi:10.1080/09540129650125641 (Pubitemid 26270814)
70. Siegel, D. M., Klein, D. I., & Roghmann, K. J. (1999). Sexual behavior, contraception, and risk among college students. Journal of Adolescent Health, 25, 336-343. doi:10.1016/S1054-139X(99)00054-3 (Pubitemid 29495868)
71. Sprecher, S., McKinney, K., & Orbuch, T. L. (1987). Has the double standard disappeared? An experimental test? Social Psychology Quarterly, 50, 24-31.
72. Stanton, M., Leukefeld, C., Logan, T. K., Zimmerman, R., Lynam, D., Milich, R., ... Clayton, R. (1999). Risky sex behavior and substance use among young adults. Health and Social Work, 24, 147-154.
73. Wechsler, H., Lee, J., Kuo, M., & Lee, H. (2000). College binge drinking in the 1990s: A continuing problem: Results of the Harvard School of Public Health 1999 College Alcohol Study. Journal of American College Health, 48, 199-210. doi:10.1080/07448480009599305
74. Weinstock, H., Berman, S., & Cates, W., Jr. (2004). Sexually transmitted diseases in American youth: Incidence and prevalence estimates, 2000. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 36, 6-10. (Pubitemid 38258322)
75. White, H. R., Fleming, C. B., Catalano, R. F., & Bailey, J. A. (2009). Prospective associations among alcohol use-related sexual enhancement expectancies, sex after alcohol use, and casual sex. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 23, 702-707. doi:10.1037/a0016630
76. Wilsnack, R. W., Vogeltanz, N. D., Wilsnack, S. C., & Harris, T. (2000). Gender differences in alcohol consumption and adverse drinking consequences: Cross-cultural patterns. Addiction, 95, 251-265. doi:10.1046/j.1360-0443.2000.95225112.x (Pubitemid 30111246)