314985
Relationship between college students' perception of peers' substance use and self-reported substance use
Determine the association between perceived peer substance use and personal substance use among U.S. college-attending adults, ages 18-24.
Methods
Using data from the National College Health Assessment Survey II (2009), descriptive and multivariate regression analyses were performed to assess the association between perceived ‘typical’ peers’ use of seven substances and corresponding personal use in the last 30 days (N=60,863).
Results
Overall 65% of respondents were female; 62% were <21 years. Students used 1.3 substances, but believed that their ‘typical’ peer used 5.2 substances. Perceived peers’ substance use was significantly associated with corresponding personal substance use in the last 30 days (OR range: 2.25-6.42). Additionally, the number of other self-reported substances used increased with the perceived number of substances used by peers (p=0.01).
Conclusions
Disparities exists between college students’ self-reported substance use and their perception of peers’ use, which likely represents a misperception of peers’ use. However, substance use behaviors appear to be associated with these misperceptions of their peers’ behavior, which suggests that changing perceptions about substance abuse may be a target for intervention.
Learning Areas:
EpidemiologyLearning Objectives:
Describe and define how perceptions of peer substance use among college students are associated with actual self-reported substance use. Additionally, demonstrate that a dose-response relationship exists between perception of use and self-reported use.
Keyword(s): Epidemiology, College Students
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a 2nd year Epidemiology PhD student with an MPH in epidemiology. Among my academic and scientific interests are substance and tobacco use among adolescents and young adults, with an emphasis on college students.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.