A pilot study of alcohol policy and social norms in Welsh Universities

ISRCTN ISRCTN48556384
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN48556384
Secondary identifying numbers n/a
Submission date
07/11/2011
Registration date
23/01/2012
Last edited
25/09/2018
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Although originating in the USA, interest is growing in applying the social norms approach to reducing drinking behaviours in UK universities. This approach is based on the assumption that students perceptions of the norms of their peers are highly influential, but that these perceptions are often incorrect. That is, students often believe that their peers drink more, and experience more alcohol-related consequences, than they actually do. Social norms interventions therefore aim to correct these inaccurate perceptions, and in turn, to change behaviours.
Earlier in 2011, a survey was conducted by the Cardiff Institute of Society and Health, in partnership with NUS Wales and Drinkaware to assess first year university students perceptions of peer drinking behaviour and consequences in four Welsh Universities. Data from this survey have informed the development of materials which aim to correct incorrect perceptions of drinking norms, which will be delivered through university halls of residence.
This study aims to examine the impact of these materials on first year students drinking and alcohol related consequences in four universities, and to establish the feasibility of a larger national trial.

Who can participate?
All first year students resident in halls of residence in four Welsh Universities will be invited to participate.

What will the study involve?
The study will involve comparison of self-reported drinking behaviours and alcohol-related consequences among students living in halls of residence randomly selected to receive the social norms materials, comprising drinks mats, posters and mirror stickers providing information on drinking norms in Welsh Universities, with those students living in halls randomly selected not to receive such materials. Students within each hall will be asked to complete an anonymous web-based or paper questionnaire describing their alcohol consumption and related consequences.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Students will be offered entry into a £100 prize draw as an incentive for participation.
There are no known risks of participating in the study. Contact details for student support services are included at the end of the questionnaire, in case its completion raises any difficult issues for students.

Where will the study run from?
The study will be conducted by the Cardiff Institute of Society & Health, School of Social Sciences within Cardiff University.

When is study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
Participants will be invited to participate in a post-intervention survey between February and May 2012.

Who is funding the study?
Alcohol Research UK (formerly known as the Alcohol Education and Research Council).

Who is the main contact?
Dr Simon Murphy
MurphyS&@cardiff.ac.uk

Contact information

Dr Simon Murphy
Scientific

Cardiff Institute of Society & Health
School of Social Sciences
1-3 Museum Place
Cardiff
CF10 3BD
United Kingdom

Study information

Study designCluster randomised controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Other
Study typePrevention
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleAn exploratory cluster randomised controlled trial of a halls of residence based social norms marketing intervention to reduce alcohol consumption in first year undergraduates in Welsh universities As of 14/02/2012, anticipated start date of trial has been updated from 14/02/2012 to 20/02/2012.
Study objectivesStudents living in halls in which a social norms based intervention is delivered will report lower levels of alcohol consumption and alcohol related problems than those in halls where it is not.
Ethics approval(s)Cardiff University School of Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee, 8th December 2011 , reference no. SREC/827
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedAlcohol consumption
InterventionIntervention
Social norms marketing materials, including posters and drinks mats to be distributed within halls of residence. Messages communicate discrepancies between actual drinking levels and prevalence of alcohol-related consequences amongst first year students, and student's perceptions of these.

Control
Usual practice
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureAlcohol consumption (units per week) measured using the Daily Drinking Questionnaire (DDQ)
Secondary outcome measures1. Frequency of alcohol consumption [Daily Drinking Questionnaire (DDQ)]
2. Frequency of binge drinking (DDQ)
3. Prevalence of higher risk drinking, assessed via Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C)
4. Change in perceptions of alcohol-related norms, assessed using the Drinking Norms Rating Form
5. Alcohol related problems measured using the Rutgaers Alcohol Problem Index
Overall study start date20/02/2012
Completion date01/05/2012

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
SexBoth
Target number of participants50 halls will participate in the trial. The halls accommodate approximately 4000 students. Surveys will be distributed to all students, aiming to achieve responses from 40%.
Key inclusion criteriaFirst year undergraduate students living in halls of residence in four Welsh Universities
Key exclusion criteriaStudents not in their first year or not living in halls
Date of first enrolment20/02/2012
Date of final enrolment01/05/2012

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • United Kingdom
  • Wales

Study participating centre

Cardiff Institute of Society & Health
Cardiff
CF10 3BD
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Alcohol Research UK (UK)
Charity

4th Floor
Willow House
7 – 23 Willow Place
London
SW1P 1JH
United Kingdom

Website http://alcoholresearchuk.org/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/00dpq7q77

Funders

Funder type

Charity

Alcohol Research UK (formerly Alcohol Education and Research Council) (UK) (Grant number 502302, sponsors reference CR 11/12 07 DA)
Private sector organisation / Other non-profit organizations
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Protocol article protocol 13/03/2012 Yes No
Results article results 18/04/2013 Yes No

Editorial Notes

25/09/2018: Publication reference added.