Overestimation of peer drinking : error of judgement or methodological artefact?

摘要: Aims To examine whether inclusion of both self‐ and peer‐referent items in the context a single social norms drinking questionnaire plays an active role producing much‐reported tendency for young people to overestimate extent peers' alcohol‐related behaviour permissiveness their attitudes towards alcohol. Design, setting, participants measurements In between‐subjects design pupils attending two Scottish secondary schools (n = 1074; 12–18 years; 52.5% male) completed one three questionnaires designed measure range behaviours, perceptions: paradigmatic multiple‐target included while single‐target self‐referent or only. Findings Pupils' self‐reported behaviours were similar, regardless multiple versions used, as perceptions frequencies alcohol use drunkenness. contrast, by comparison with who responded version that omitted items, was significantly more likely result reports peers would consume alcoholic drinks when friends hold permissive liberal Conclusions Social research related health promotion programmes seek reduce overestimation peer are heavily reliant upon questionnaires. The such may lead distorted extreme being reported compared versions, which omit items. By implication, encourage ‘over‐overestimate’ norms.