Norwegian Institute for Alcohol and Drug Research, Oslo, Norway.
Addiction. 2012 May;107(5):878-84. doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2011.03680.x. Epub 2012 Feb 11.
This paper queries the notion that young people overestimate peer substance use, asking whether there is robust evidence that such misperceptions are widespread and whether the phenomenon may have been exaggerated in the research literature.
An examination of the research literature was conducted, focusing mainly on studies published since 2000. Some analyses of relevant data on cannabis use from a Norwegian youth survey were also undertaken.
The research in question is characterized by many weaknesses, including low response rates and widespread use of convenience samples, as well as the presence of contextual factors and the use of assessment tools that may have created a bias in favour of 'demonstrating' that youth overestimate peer drinking or drug use. Moreover, in some cases, the apparent tendency to hold such misbeliefs may reflect the reality. Further, although most studies conclude that the modal tendency is to overestimate, high levels of underestimation of peer substance use have been reported. There is also suggestive evidence that many youth may have no pre-existing beliefs when responding to items on the issue. Results from the Norwegian youth survey added to this picture.
Young people's tendency to overestimate peer drinking and drug use has been exaggerated, while the uncertainty surrounding the evidence in question has been understated.
本文质疑年轻人高估同伴物质使用的观点，询问这种误解是否普遍存在，以及这种现象在研究文献中是否被夸大。
对研究文献进行了审查，主要集中在 2000 年以后发表的研究上。还对来自挪威青年调查的一些关于大麻使用的相关数据进行了分析。
所讨论的研究存在许多弱点，包括低回应率和广泛使用便利样本，以及存在背景因素和使用评估工具，这些可能导致偏向于“证明”年轻人高估同伴饮酒或吸毒。此外，在某些情况下，这种明显的持有这种错误信念的倾向可能反映了现实。此外，尽管大多数研究得出的结论是倾向于高估，但也有报道称，对同伴物质使用的低估程度很高。还有证据表明，许多年轻人在回答关于这个问题的项目时可能没有预先存在的信念。来自挪威青年调查的结果进一步说明了这一点。
年轻人高估同伴饮酒和吸毒的倾向被夸大了，而对于所讨论的证据的不确定性则被低估了。
