Local Support for Alcohol Control Policies and Perceptions of Neighborhood Issues in Two College Communities

Abstract

Background Although valuable, national opinion surveys on alcohol policy may be less informative for policy development at the local level. Using samples of adult residents in two college communities, the present study: 1) measured public support for local alcohol control policies to stem underage drinking and alcohol over-service in on-premise outlets; 2) assessed residents' opinions regarding neighborhood problems; and 3) identified factors associated with strong policy support. Methods We administered random-sample telephone surveys to residents ages 21 years and older in college communities located in Community 1 (N = 501; mean age = 57.4 years, SD = 14.7) and Community 2 (N = 505; mean age = 56.0 years, SD = 15.2). The response rates were typical of telephone surveys (Community 1: 33.5%; Community 2: 29.9%). We assessed support for 16 alcohol control policies and the occurrence of specific types of neighborhood incidents (e.g., witnessing intoxicated people). We used multiple regression analyses to determine factors associated with policy support. Results Residents in Community 1 reported significantly higher weekly alcohol use, a greater number of witnessed neighborhood incidents, and a higher level of perceived neighborhood problems than did residents in Community 2. Residents in Community 1 perceived local alcohol control policies and their enforcement to be significantly stricter. Overall, policy support was high and did not differ between the communities. In both communities, higher policy support was significantly associated with being female, being older, less weekly alcohol use, and lower perceived strictness of alcohol control policies and enforcement. Conclusions It is important for campus officials and community leaders to be aware of and publicize favorable public opinion when advocating for policy change, especially at the local level. Information on residents' perceptions of the neighborhood issues they face can also inform local policy and enforcement efforts.

Modelo explicativo de factores protectores socio ecologicos del consumo de alcohol en jóvenes universitarios

“…Así mismo, se debe considerar desde la perspectiva socio ecológica que este factor comunitario está influenciado por otros factores, como la dinámica familiar, la permisibilidad que existe en la familia para el consumo de alcohol, el apego a los pares, el consumo de los pares y la política pública que en su conjunto puede influir en la conducta actual de consumo de alcohol en los jóvenes universitarios (Cambrón et al, 2017;Fairlie et al 2015;Karriker-Jaffe, 2013;Oliva et al, 2012a).…”

“…Los resultados muestran que la percepción de políticas públicas para reducir los problemas asociados al alcohol presentó una relación negativa y significativa con el consumo de alcohol (Índice AUDIT), estos datos coinciden con lo reportado por Fairlie et al (2015) en universitarios de Estados Unidos quienes identificaron una relación negativa y significativa de apoyo a las políticas públicas con el consumo de alcohol.…”