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330533
Trends in perceived social norms of marijuana use among college


Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Sara Wakai, PhD, Center for Public Health and Health Policy, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT
Elizabeth A. Schilling, PhD, Institute for Public Health Research, Center for Public Health and Health Policy, University of Connecticut Health Center, East Hartford, CT
Background: Marijuana use has increased among college students over the past decade. Of particular concern are students’ perceived social norms that encourage its use.  The study examines trends in individual characteristics, perceived peer behavior, perceived risk, campus environment, and campus policies related to marijuana consumption among undergraduate college students.

Method: The findings utilize the Core Alcohol and Drug Survey-Long Form data based on a national US sample of 344,755 college students collected from 2006 to 2011.  It is designed to assess longitudinal trends of college students’ attitudes, perceptions and consequences of alcohol and other drug use on their campuses.  Linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the relationship of student, peer and campus environment characteristics on marijuana consumption. 

Results: Results revealed that student perceptions of normative marijuana use are significantly related to individual use. Specifically, students who report more frequent marijuana use also report that: 1) peers have higher rates of marijuana use (p < .05) and 2) the social environment on campus promotes drug use (p < .001).  Also, students reported that occasional or regular marijuana use presented low risk to the user.  This trend became stronger over the years particularly with students reporting more frequent marijuana use.   

Conclusion: The results indicate that marijuana is perceived as a low risk drug and central to the college experience.  This perception should be targeted for intervention as part of overall efforts to reduce high risk alcohol and other drug consumption. 

Learning Areas:

Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Identify student, peer and campus characteristics associated with marijuana use on college campuses. Identify trends in perceived social norms of college students’ marijuana use.

Keyword(s): Drug Abuse

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Dr. Wakai is the Assistant Director at UCHC’s Center for Public Health and Health Policy. She has designed and conducted several research studies related to public health including two state initiatives: 1) Connecticut Healthy Campus Initiative which was designed to reduce underage and binge drinking on college campuses across Connecticut and; 2) Connecticut Campus Suicide Prevention Initiative which was designed to reduce suicide contemplation, attempts and completions by young adult students ages 18 to 24.
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.

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