A study of college students with type 1 diabetes found 41% used marijuana, with depression increasing use risk while grit and illness acceptance were strongly protective.
Endocrinologists, college health providers, and chronic disease management researchers.
What the researchers found
41.3% reported marijuana use. Depressive symptoms associated with use (AOR 1.31). Grit strongly protective (AOR 0.32). Illness acceptance also protective (AOR 0.96).
Why it matters
Identifying modifiable protective factors like grit and illness acceptance provides actionable targets for intervention in chronically ill young adults.
The numbers in context
84% used alcohol; 41.3% used marijuana; grit AOR=0.32; depression AOR=1.31; illness acceptance AOR=0.96.
How the study worked
Cross-sectional web-based survey of college students with T1D. Validated instruments for substance use, depression, anxiety, illness acceptance, and grit.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional design. Social media recruitment. Self-reported data. Small sample.
How to read the evidence
Validated instruments with appropriate controls, but cross-sectional design limits generalizability.
When this study was published
2025 study of substance use in college youth with T1D.
The bigger picture
Psychological resilience factors are more protective than social support, challenging assumptions about helping young people with chronic illness.
Questions still open
- Could grit-building interventions reduce cannabis use in chronically ill young adults?
- Does cannabis use worsen diabetes management?
Common questions
Do college students with diabetes use more marijuana?
What protects against substance use in chronically ill youth?
Read the original research
Psychosocial correlates of alcohol and substance use in college youth with type 1 diabetes.
Journal of pediatric psychology, 50(2), 197-204
Citation
Tsevat, Rebecca K; Weitzman, Elissa R; Wisk, Lauren E. (2025). Psychosocial correlates of alcohol and substance use in college youth with type 1 diabetes.. Journal of pediatric psychology, 50(2), 197-204. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsae103
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