CONCERN FOR APPROPRIATENESS, RELIGIOSITY, AND GENDER AS PREDICTORS OF ALCOHOL AND MARIJUANA USE

The validity of the Concern for Appropriateness Scale (CAS) as a direct or indirect predictor of alcohol and marijuana use in college students was investigated in this study. Specifically, the study examined whether the CAS, by itself, predicted self-reported alcohol and marijuana and whether it interacted with gender and/or religiosity to predict alcohol and marijuana use. The Ss were 143 undergraduate students, and it was found that the CAS directly predicted marijuana use and also interacted with religiosity in the prediction of marijuana use. The results also indicated that the CAS did not directly predict alcohol use, but the CAS interacted with gender and religiosity in the prediction of alcohol use. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for validity of the CAS as an index of social anxiety.

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Physical and Sexual Intimate Partner Aggression Among College Students: Examining the Roles of Cyber Intimate Partner Aggression and Alcohol Use

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/0886260520912593 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 088626052091259

Author(s):

Laura E. Watkins ◽

Rosalita C. Benedicto ◽

Alexandra Brockdorf ◽

David DiLillo

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Model ◽

Partner Aggression ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Two Factors ◽

Increase Risk ◽

Intimate Partner Aggression

Intimate partner aggression (IPA) is a serious and prevalent problem among college students. Two factors that may increase risk for in-person IPA are cyber IPA and alcohol use. This study examines the interaction between three types of cyber IPA (cyber psychological, stalking, and sexual IPA) and alcohol use in predicting in-person physical and sexual IPA perpetration. Participants were 268 undergraduate students, who participated in a mass screening at a large midwestern university. More than half of the sample reported perpetrating cyber IPA. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to examine study hypotheses. The R2 for physical IPA perpetration was .69 and the R2 for sexual IPA perpetration was .46. Cyber stalking IPA and alcohol interacted to predict physical IPA perpetration, such that the relationship between cyber stalking IPA and physical IPA perpetration was stronger among individuals who used more alcohol. Contrary to expectations, cyber IPA and alcohol did not interact to predict sexual IPA. However, consistent with hypotheses, cyber stalking IPA was positively associated with sexual IPA perpetration. The high prevalence of cyber IPA and its association with in-person IPA perpetration suggests that prevention programs targeting cyber IPA on college campuses may be warranted.

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Motives for Alcohol and Marijuana Use as Predictors of Use and Problem Use Among Young Adult College Students

Journal of Drug Issues ◽

10.1177/0022042620917101 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 50 (4) ◽

pp. 359-377

Author(s):

Akilah Patterson ◽

Milkie Vu ◽

Regine Haardörfer ◽

Michael Windle ◽

Carla J. Berg

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Substance Use ◽

Young Adult ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Problem Drinking ◽

Marijuana Use ◽

Problem Alcohol Use ◽

And Coping ◽

Alcohol Users ◽

Problem Alcohol

This study examined (a) differences between alcohol-only users and alcohol–marijuana co-users and (b) motives for use in relation to alcohol and marijuana use and problem use. Spring 2016 data among 1,870 past 4-month alcohol users (63.6% female, 69.1% White) from seven Georgia colleges/universities were analyzed cross-sectionally and with regard to problem use measured 4 months later. Correlates of co-use ( n = 345; vs. alcohol-only use, n = 1,525) included greater alcohol and marijuana use frequency, problem drinking and marijuana use, and alcohol use motives ( p’s < .05). Controlling for covariates, alcohol use frequency correlated with greater marijuana use frequency and Coping and Self-enhancement alcohol use motives, but lower Conformity alcohol use motives ( p’s < .001); greater Coping and Self-enhancement alcohol use motives ( p’s < .01) predicted problem alcohol use. Marijuana use frequency correlated with greater Coping and Expansion marijuana use motives ( p’s < .05); greater Expansion marijuana use motives ( p = .005) predicted problem marijuana use. College-based substance use interventions should target Coping and Self-enhancement alcohol use motives and Expansion marijuana use motives.

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Effects of mental health and substance use disorder symptoms on the association between STDs and sexual identity: evidence from the 2017–2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health

Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1007/s10389-021-01683-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

David Adzrago ◽

Samuel H. Nyarko ◽

Nnenna Ananaba ◽

Christine Markham

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Drug Use ◽

Depressive Episode ◽

Major Depressive Episode ◽

Illicit Drug ◽

Marijuana Use ◽

Illicit Drug Use ◽

Major Depressive ◽

And Gender

Abstract Background Sexually transmitted disease (STD) cases are rising in the USA, especially among sexual and gender minorities, despite the availability of numerous STD prevention programs. We examined the differences in STD prevalence among sexual and gender minority subgroups with major depressive episode symptoms and substance use dependence. Methods We combined 2017, 2018, and 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) public-use data on adults (N = 127,584) to conduct weighted multivariable logistic regression and margins analyses. Results Approximately 2.05% of the population reported having STDs. The population that had major depressive episode symptoms (AOR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.46, 1.99), alcohol use dependence (AOR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.49, 2.16), illicit drug use other than marijuana use dependence (AOR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.73, 2.92), or marijuana use dependence (AOR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.57, 2.31) had higher odds of contracting STDs compared to their counterparts. Lesbian/gay (AOR = 2.81, 95% CI = 2.24, 3.54) and bisexual (AOR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.60, 2.37) individuals had higher odds of contracting STDs. Lesbians/gays with major depressive episode symptoms, alcohol use dependence, or illicit drug use other than marijuana use dependence had the highest probability of having STDs, compared to bisexuals and heterosexuals with major depressive episode symptoms, alcohol use, or illicit drug use other than marijuana use dependence. Bisexuals with marijuana use dependence had the highest probability of STD contraction compared to their lesbian/gay and heterosexual counterparts. Within each sexual identity subgroup, the probability of having STDs was higher for individuals with major depressive episode symptoms, or dependence on alcohol use, illicit drug use other than marijuana use, or marijuana use compared to their counterparts. Conclusion Major depressive episode symptoms, substance use dependence, and sexual and gender minority status had higher risks for STD diagnosis, particularly for sexual and gender minorities with major depressive episode symptoms or substance use dependence. Tailored interventions based on major depressive episode symptoms and substance use dependence may reduce the prevalence of STD, especially among sexual and gender minorities.

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Acculturation and Alcohol Use Outcomes: Incremental Roles of Bicultural Orientations among Asian American Undergraduate and Graduate Students

10.31234/osf.io/sg24e ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Savannah Pham ◽

P. Priscilla Lui

Keyword(s):

Graduate Students ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Asian American ◽

Social Consequences ◽

Stress Theory ◽

Student Drinking ◽

Cultural Orientations ◽

And Gender

Objectives: There has been a steep increase in alcohol involvement and alcohol use disorder among Asian Americans in recent decades. Cultural orientations have been shown to be robust correlates of alcohol use. Yet, the literature is limited in illuminating within-group differences in the complex relations among acculturation, enculturation, bicultural orientations, and alcohol use. Most alcohol research has focused on undergraduate students; little is known about the roles of cultural orientations in graduate student drinking outcomes. Methods: Asian American undergraduate (N = 357, 60.1% women, Mage = 20.32) and graduate students (N = 230, 30.4% women, Mage = 24.76) completed survey questionnaires assessing their levels of acculturation and enculturation, and alcohol consumption and drinking-related consequences. Results: Accounting for acculturation, enculturation was not associated with alcohol use abltoutcomes. Acculturation was positively associated with alcohol consumption among undergraduates, and was negatively associated with various alcohol use outcomes among graduate students. Bicultural orientations indicated by acculturation x enculturation predicted alcohol use above and beyond acculturation and enculturation alone, and gender moderated these relations. Among undergraduates, women who scored lower on acculturation and enculturation reported more personal drinking-related consequences. Among graduate students, men who scored lower on enculturation reported more social drinking-related consequences, whereas women who scored higher on acculturation and enculturation reported lower levels of social consequences. Conclusion: These results can be interpreted in the contexts of social norms and stress theory, and highlight the possible protective roles of ethnic society immersion in alcohol misuse.

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Gender differences in perceived stress and coping among college students

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0255634 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. e0255634

Author(s):

B. Sue Graves ◽

Michael E. Hall ◽

Carolyn Dias-Karch ◽

Michael H. Haischer ◽

Christine Apter

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Gender Differences ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Educational Interventions ◽

Work Lives ◽

Brief Cope ◽

And Gender ◽

And Coping

Background Many college students register each semester for courses, leading to productive careers and fulfilled lives. During this time, the students have to manage many stressors stemming from academic, personal, and, sometimes, work lives. Students, who lack appropriate stress management skills, may find it difficult to balance these responsibilities. Objectives This study examined stress, coping mechanisms, and gender differences in undergraduate students towards the end of the semester. Design and method University students (n = 448) enrolled in three different undergraduate exercise science courses were assessed. Two instruments, the Perceived Stress Scale and Brief Cope, were administered during the twelfth week of the semester, four weeks prior to final exams. T-tests were used to detect gender differences for the stress levels and coping strategies. Results Overall, females indicated higher levels of stress than their male counterparts. Gender differences were evident in both coping dimensions and individual coping strategies used. Females were found to utilize the emotion-focused coping dimension and endorsed the use of four coping strategies more often than males. These included self-distraction, emotional support, instrumental support, and venting. Conclusions This research adds to the existing literature by illuminating the level of perceived stress and different coping strategies used by undergraduate female and male students. In turn, students may need educational interventions to develop effective and healthy coping strategies to last a lifetime. Faculty and other university officials may want to highlight and understand these various factors to protect the students’ wellbeing in their classes.

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Justly Relating to Self and Others in College Culture

10.1093/oso/9780190268503.003.0009 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Jennifer Beste

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Sexual Behaviors ◽

Gender Norms ◽

College Campuses ◽

College Culture ◽

Sexual Desires ◽

Hookup Culture ◽

And Gender

What kind of relationships and sex do college students actually desire? Students’ reflections indicate that they want just and mutual connections. What hinders these? According to students, one reason they may tolerate unjust sexual and gender norms and perpetuate injustice in their sexual lives is the “toxic messages” found in the ubiquitous eroticization of sexual inequality throughout our culture. Such eroticization of power-over interactions deeply affects their sexual expectations, sexual desires, arousal patterns, and sexual behaviors. After offering their perspectives on Margaret Farley’s account of just sex, undergraduate students provide analyses of whether hookups and hookup culture overall can be just, their perspectives on just sex, and their view of obstacles to sexual justice on college campuses and within broader U.S. culture.

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