Perceived norms among university students of three health courses for drug use among peers

Authors

  • Ana Maria Pimenta Carvalho OMS
  • John Cunningham University of Toronto, Canadá; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; Health Systems Research and Consulting Unit
  • Carol Strike University of Toronto, Canadá; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; Health Systems Research and Consulting Unit
  • Bruna Brands University of Toronto; Center for Addiction and Mental Health; Health Canada and Public Health and Regulatory Policies
  • Maria da Gloria Miotto Wright Organization of American States; Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission; Demand Reduction Section

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692009000700022

Keywords:

psychoactive substances, tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine

Abstract

The present study interviewed second- and third-year students of three health courses to identify university students' estimates for drug use (perceived norm), the rate of drug use among the subjects (real norm); compare the estimates with the actual frequency; and identify in what conditions the drugs are used. Students overestimated their peers' use of tobacco, marijuana and cocaine in life and over the last 12 months. Alcohol was an exception. The rate values reported by sample students and the general estimated use were rather close. Drugs are usually consumed at parties and among friends from the university. Data analysis was performed in the light of the Social Norms Theory, Causal Attribution and Normalization.

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Published

2009-01-01

Issue

Vol. 17 (2009): Número Especial

Section

Original Articles

License

RLAE’s authorship concept is based on the substantial contribution by each of the individuals listed as authors, mainly in terms of conceiving and planning the research project, collecting or analyzing and interpreting data, writing and critical review. Indication of authors’ names under the article title is limited to six. If more, authors are listed on the online submission form under Acknowledgements. The possibility of including more than six authors will only be examined on multicenter studies, considering the explanations presented by the authors.
Including names of authors whose contribution does not fit into the above criteria cannot be justified. Those names can be included in the Acknowledgements section.
 Authors are fully responsible for the concepts disseminated in their manuscripts, which do not necessarily reflect the editors’ and editorial board’s opinion.

 

How to Cite

Perceived norms among university students of three health courses for drug use among peers. (2009). Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem, 17(spe), 900-906. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692009000700022