A pilot study of alcohol policy and social norms in Welsh Universities
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN48556384 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN48556384 |
| Protocol serial number | n/a |
| Sponsor | Alcohol Research UK (UK) |
| Funder | Alcohol Research UK (formerly Alcohol Education and Research Council) (UK) (Grant number 502302, sponsors reference CR 11/12 07 DA) |
- 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
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
Scientific
Cardiff Institute of Society & Health
School of Social Sciences
1-3 Museum Place
Cardiff
CF10 3BD
United Kingdom
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Cluster randomised controlled trial |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | An 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 objectives | Students 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) studied | Alcohol consumption |
| Intervention | Intervention 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 type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Alcohol consumption (units per week) measured using the Daily Drinking Questionnaire (DDQ) |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Frequency of alcohol consumption [Daily Drinking Questionnaire (DDQ)] |
| Completion date | 01/05/2012 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 4000 |
| Key inclusion criteria | First year undergraduate students living in halls of residence in four Welsh Universities |
| Key exclusion criteria | Students not in their first year or not living in halls |
| Date of first enrolment | 20/02/2012 |
| Date of final enrolment | 01/05/2012 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- Wales
Study participating centre
CF10 3BD
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not provided at time of registration |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 18/04/2013 | Yes | No | |
| Protocol article | protocol | 13/03/2012 | Yes | No | |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
25/09/2018: Publication reference added.
