Examining Student Attitudes and Perceptions About Hazing: A Social Norms Approach to Prevention

• In Event: Examining Student Attitudes and Perceptions About Hazing: A Social Norms Approach to Prevention

Abstract

With few empirical studies documenting the efficacy of hazing prevention efforts, evidence-based public health frameworks may be employed to inform prevention initiatives. Scholars studying the prevention of high-risk behaviors connected to hazing have identified the social norms approach as a promising strategy. Across four universities, data were collected from over 1,500 participants documenting students’ level of agreement with four pro-social attitudes toward hazing and perceptions of their peers’ support for these statements. While a high percentage of students indicated they agreed with these pro-social statements, a lower percentage of students perceived their peers to agree with these items. The findings from this investigation illustrate the potential for applying a social norms approach to hazing prevention.

Authors

• Elizabeth J. Allan, University of Maine

• David Kerschner, StopHazing