Hackettstown, N.J.,  June, 10, 2010 — Centenary College’s “Research Methods in the Social Sciences” courses joined forces with the Family Guidance Center of Warren County to conduct a study regarding attitudes toward high-risk drinking among college students in Warren County.

The Research Methods in the Social Sciences course is designed to teach students how to both conduct and evaluate original research in the Social Sciences.  This course aims to prepare students to be social scientists.  Students will learn about a variety of research methods by engaging in authentic assignments, which require them to conduct their own research.  Students will learn about case study analysis, secondary source analysis and the experimental design and the foundations of ethical research.

Random classes were surveyed on the campuses of Centenary College and Warren County Community College to gather data for the Family Guidance Center of Warren County.  Topics that were covered include drinking beliefs, influences, parental guidance and political awareness of alcohol policies.

“The feedback that we received has proved to be quite valuable,” says Mary Jo Harris, Prevention Educator at the Family Guidance Center of Warren County.  “I believe it has provided insight on aiding in the prevention of high-risk drinking in Warren County. At the very least, however, these students have educated each other on the risks associated with overconsumption of alcohol.”

Prevention Connections, a prevention component of the Family Guidance Center, received a grant from the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Addiction Services, to address reducing high-risk drinking among college students in Warren County.  In doing so, Family Guidance has teamed up with Centenary College and Warren County Community College to begin building community support to implement interventions that will address restriction of alcohol access, responsible beverage service and risks of drinking and driving, binge drinking and underage alcohol access.  

“It is not our intention to investigate or highlight the incidents that take place on our college campuses and throughout Warren County among the college-aged population,” says Harris.  “Our focus and goal is to work proactively to implement prevention strategies to promote healthy choices and reduce the various types of alcohol related accidents, violence and resulting injuries.”

About the Family Guidance Center of Warren County

In 1955, the Warren County Guidance Center was incorporated through the efforts of a group of concerned citizens.  The clinic at that time resulted from the efforts and services provided by a traveling outpatient team consisting of a psychiatrist, a social worker and a psychologist.

As the Center developed, services expanded to include psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, public education, and parent group education.  Emergency services were provided via telephone using volunteers trained by the Center.

In 1970, the Warren County Guidance Center merged with Family Services of Warren County to form the Family Guidance Center of Warren County.  Since that time, services have expanded and are available in the three major population center in the County: Washington, Phillipsburg and Hackettstown.

The Family Guidance Center of Warren County is a nonprofit agency dedicated to improving the quality of life of children and adults affected by problems related to mental illness, substance abuse, family conflict or emotional adjustment.  The Family Guidance Center provides a broad range of services and programs, including: Outpatient Mental Health, Substance Abuse Treatment, Crisis Intervention, Gateway/Partial Care, School-Based Youth services at Warren Hills Regional High School, Sexual Abuse Treatment, Intensive Family Support and Prevention Services.