Risk of Marijuana Use in Male and Female College Student Athletes and Nonathletes

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Objective: A large minority of collegiate athletes report past-year marijuana use even though there is a signifi cant possibility of experiencing negative athlete-specifi c consequences related to performance, eligibility, and scholarship. The present study examined risk factors that can drive or curb marijuana use in college athletes and nonathletes. Method: Logistic regressions, performed separately for men and for women, assessed the relationship of past-year marijuana use to sensation seeking, negative mood, perceptions of peer marijuana use, motivations for marijuana use, and stress related to body image and academics in athletes (233 men, 156 women) and nonathletes (184 men, 313 women). Risk factors also were compared for male past-year marijuana users who reported using (n = 26) or not using (n = 61) the substance during their competitive season. Results: For athletes and nonathletes of both genders, being White, being past-year cigarette smokers, having higher sensation-seeking scores, and having exaggerated perceptions of student use norms were associated with past-year marijuana use. Enhancement motivations for use were higher among athletes compared with their same-gender nonathlete peers. In women, but not in men, greater body image stress and lower academic stress were associated with past-year marijuana use. Male athletes who continued using marijuana into their competitive season demonstrated a qualitatively different risk profi le compared with athlete past-year users who reported no in-season use, including greater coping motivations for marijuana use. Conclusions: This preliminary study suggests that although the overall risk profi le of college athletes and nonathletes is similar, athletes appear to be particularly motivated to use marijuana because of its enhancement or pleasurable properties. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs, 72, 586-591, 2011)

Prevalence of marijuana use at college entry and risk factors for initiation during freshman year

“…These findings are consistent with other studies on students already enrolled in college (Buckman et al, 2011; Satinder & Black, 1984; Simons, Gaher, Correia, & Bush, 2005). This relationship may be due to the fact that sensation seekers pursue activities that involve danger, risk taking, new experiences, and a disregard for conformity and social norms (Satinder & Black, 1984).…”

“…Several studies have shown that athletes are less likely to use marijuana during college than non-athletes (Buckman, Yusko, Farris, White, & Pandina, 2011; Wechsler, Davenport, Dowdall, Grossman, & Zanakos, 1997; Yusko, Buckman, White, & Pandina, 2008) and members of sororities and fraternities are more likely to use marijuana than students not involved in sororities and fraternities (Bell et al, 1997; McCabe et al, 2005). College students who believe that religion is important are less likely to use marijuana than students who are less religious (Bell et al, 1997).…”

Marijuana use trajectories and academic outcomes among college students

“…Multivariable models predicting college outcomes from marijuana trajectory groups were estimated, adjusting for characteristics that had a marginal bivariate association (p < 0.20) with the outcomes. Covariates included basic demographic variables and factors shown to be associated with marijuana use in the literature (Bell et al, 1997, Johnston et al, 2015; Buckman et al, 2011; Wechsler et al 1997; Yusko et al, 2008; McCabe et al, 2005; Mohler-Kuo et al, 2003). Adjusted and unadjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals are presented for both dichotomous outcomes (enrollment in college and graduation on time).…”

“…Prior research has found that college student marijuana users are more likely to be white, male, single, members of fraternities or sororities, non-athletes, not religious, cigarette smokers, and heavy episodic drinkers (Bell et al, 1997; Johnston et al, 2015; Buckman et al, 2011; Wechsler et al 1997; Yusko et al, 2008; McCabe et al, 2005; Mohler-Kuo et al, 2003). Students who initiate marijuana prior to age 16 are more likely to continue to use marijuana in college and be regular users (Mohler-Kuo et al, 2003), and early age of initiation has been shown to be associated with problems later in life such as depression and drug dependence (Green and Ritter, 2000; Ellickson et al, 2005; Chen et al, 2009).…”

Taking a Timeout to Ensure Well-Being: Social Work Involvement in College Sports

“…Overall, male college athletes are more likely to use illicit substances than female college athletes (Buckman, Yusko, Farris, White, & Pandina, 2011).…”