Social norms intervention: fall 2012 survey results

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Laura L. Valentine
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Results of the second survey for the Alcohol Social Norms Intervention Project have been published at McConnell AFB. 

This project, initiated at McConnell in March 2012, consists of three survey sessions and two media campaigns spanning a two year period. The initial survey was conducted in March where 577 out of 622 Airmen participated. 

The fall 2012 anonymous survey compiled answers from 512 Airmen. Questions related to personal alcohol use and perceptions of peers using alcohol.

"The goal of the project is to change the belief that alcohol misuse is the norm among 18 to 24 year olds at McConnell AFB," said Master Sgt. Raul Salinas, 22nd Medical Operations Squadron Mental Health Flight chief.

Following this education campaign, Team McConnell members will be surveyed one last time in spring 2013.

The results from the final survey will be compiled and used for the final education campaign in late 2013.

This type of intervention has been very successful within the college setting where alcohol misuse has also been falsely perceived as the norm among students, said Salinas.

Collaborating with the Air Force Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Branch, the project was designed by the Alcohol Education Project of Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, New York and partially funded by a grant from Kansas State University.

More information on Social Norms Projects can be found at www.socialnormsurveys.org and http://alcohol.hws.edu/index

Results from the fall 2012 survey of 512 McConnell AFB Airmen ages 18 to 24:

  • The majority (65%) of McConnell Airmen consume alcohol twice per month or less often or do not drink at all
  • 60% of McConnell Airmen consume three or fewer drinks or no drinks with alcohol at parties and bars
  • Most (85%) McConnell Airmen agree that Airmen at this base are respectful of peers who choose not to drink
  • Most (83%) McConnell Airmen who consume alcohol at parties, bars or other social gatherings and know that they will be travelling later by car always have a designated driver
  • Most (85%) McConnell Airmen agree that it is easy to make friends at this base without drinking alcohol
  • Most (88%) of McConnell Airmen always or usually eat before or during their attendance at parties, bars and social gatherings where they might be consuming alcohol
  • Three out of four (77%) McConnell Airmen leave parties or bars with little or no alcohol impairment