The power of philosophy, policies, programs, practices, and participation: alcohol-related institutional congruence and college students' attitudes and behaviors

Abstract

<p>The relationship between alcohol-related institutional congruence and college students' attitudes and behaviors related to alcohol was examined. Alcohol-related institutional congruence is defined as the co-congruence among the philosophy, policies, programs, and practices related to alcohol and among administrators, faculty, and students in their understanding and application of the philosophy, policies, programs, and practices related to alcohol. The relationship between student participation in alcohol-related policy and program development and students' attitudes and behaviors related to alcohol was also examined.;Conducted using qualitative research methods, this instrumental case study was designed to provide a better understanding of the research focus (alcohol-related institutional congruence) with the actual case (the research site) serving as a backdrop. The research site was a large, state-assisted Midwestern Doctoral/Research University---Extensive institution. Personal interviews with administrators, faculty, and students (33 participants) provided the primary data for this study; document analysis provided secondary data.;The results indicated that alcohol-related institutional congruence has a positive effect on students' attitudes and behaviors related to alcohol. Specifically, a clear, congruent philosophy on alcohol positively affects students' attitudes and behaviors related to alcohol; an unclear, incongruent philosophy negatively affects students. Thus, the philosophy on alcohol is a powerful factor in focusing students' attitudes and behaviors related to alcohol. The results also indicated that student participation in alcohol-related policy and program development has a positive effect on students' attitudes and behaviors related to alcohol.;Based on the results, eight conclusions were developed to enhance alcohol-related institutional congruence: (1) develop an official written philosophy on alcohol; (2) reduce the number of, if not eliminate, exceptions to the university alcohol policy; (3) toughen enforcement of the university and residence life alcohol policies; (4) centralize and integrate alcohol education and abuse prevention initiatives; (5) establish greater communication and collaboration among university officials, city leaders, and local bar owners; (6) increase the level of student involvement in alcohol-related policy and program development and the extent of student participation in alcohol education and abuse prevention initiatives; (7) increase the level of institutional priority given to the university alcohol committee; and (8) eliminate the campus social normative marketing campaign or similar initiatives.</p>