Among college students in North America, cannabis use was associated with multiple adverse psychosocial outcomes, extending adolescent-onset findings into the college-age population.
College health professionals, campus counselors, young adults, and parents of college students.
Cannabis use associated with adverse psychosocial outcomes during peak-use college years
What the researchers found
Cannabis use among college-enrolled young adults was associated with adverse psychosocial outcomes across multiple domains. The findings extend what is known about adolescent-onset cannabis use into the college-age population where use peaks.
Why it matters
Cannabis use peaks between ages 18-22, coinciding with college. Understanding whether the adverse psychosocial associations documented in adolescents persist into this age group is important for campus health policies.
The numbers in context
North American college student sample. Cannabis use associated with adverse outcomes across multiple psychosocial domains during the peak-use age window (18-22).
How the study worked
Cross-sectional study examining relationships between cannabis use and multiple psychosocial functioning domains among college students in North America.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional design cannot establish causation. College students who use cannabis may differ from non-users in pre-existing ways. Self-reported measures. Cannot determine whether cannabis use preceded psychosocial difficulties.
How to read the evidence
Cross-sectional study with appropriate methodology for the college population. Cannot establish causation or control for pre-existing differences.
When this study was published
Published 2023.
The bigger picture
The normalization of cannabis on college campuses has outpaced evidence about its effects on this specific population. Most cannabis research focuses on either adolescents or general adults, leaving a gap for the transitional college-age group.
Questions still open
- Do these associations persist after controlling for pre-college psychosocial functioning? Would college-based cannabis prevention programs improve academic and social outcomes?
Common questions
Does cannabis use affect college students' academic performance?
Is cannabis use common among college students?
Read the original research
Cannabis Use Associations with Adverse Psychosocial Functioning among North American College Students.
Substance use & misuse, 58(13), 1771-1779
Citation
Vidal, Carol; Alvarez, Patty; Hammond, Christopher J; Lilly, Flavius R W. (2023). Cannabis Use Associations with Adverse Psychosocial Functioning among North American College Students.. Substance use & misuse, 58(13), 1771-1779. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2023.2247075
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