Event-specific prevention: Addressing college student drinking during known windows of risk

Abstract The unique drinking patterns of college students call for Event-Specific Prevention (ESP) strategies that address college student drinking associated with peak times and events. Despite limited research evaluating ESP, many college campuses are currently implementing programming for specifi...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Addictive behaviors 2007-11, Vol.32 (11), p.2667-2680
Main Authors: Neighbors, Clayton, Walters, Scott T, Lee, Christine M, Vader, Amanda M, Vehige, Tamara, Szigethy, Thomas, DeJong, William
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alcohol
Alcohol Drinking - epidemiology
Alcohol Drinking - prevention & control
Alcohol Drinking - psychology
Alcohol use
Alcoholic Intoxication - epidemiology
Alcoholic Intoxication - prevention & control
Alcoholic Intoxication - psychology
Anniversaries and Special Events
College
College students
Colleges & universities
Culture
Decision Making
Humans
Intervention
Policy
Prevention
Prevention programs
Psychiatry
Social Environment
Strategic planning
Students - psychology
Universities
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract The unique drinking patterns of college students call for Event-Specific Prevention (ESP) strategies that address college student drinking associated with peak times and events. Despite limited research evaluating ESP, many college campuses are currently implementing programming for specific events. The present paper provides a review of existing literature related to ESP and offers practical guidance for research and practice. The prevention typology proposed by DeJong and Langford [DeJong, W. & Langford, L. M. (2002). A typology for campus-based alcohol prevention: Moving toward environmental management strategies. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 140–147.] provides a framework for strategic planning, suggesting that programs and policies should address problems at the individual, group, institution, community, state, and society level, and that these interventions should focus on knowledge change, environmental change, health protection, and intervention and treatment services. From this typology, specific examples are provided for comprehensive program planning related to orientation/beginning of school year, homecoming, 21st birthday celebrations, spring break, and graduation. In addition, the University of Connecticut's efforts to address problems resulting from its annual Spring Weekend are described as an illustration of how advance planning by campus and community partners can produce a successful ESP effort.
ISSN:0306-4603
1873-6327
DOI:10.1016/j.addbeh.2007.05.010