Cannabis use among college students has been steadily increasing, with around 43% of college students reporting use in 2019. A recent survey of first year college students indicated that students use cannabis for enjoyment, conformity, and experimentation, but researchers have sought to further knowledge on motives behind cannabis use. As modern day society becomes more accepting of cannabis use and its perceived benefits, the Theory of Planned Behavior hypothesizes that adolescents are more likely to start using cannabis due to more positive attitudes towards the substance. Other studies have associated cannabis use with mechanisms of coping with stress and parenting practices. This study examines the relationships between motivations for cannabis use, frequency of use, and associated negative consequences of use amount college students in New York.
The study’s sample consisted of 186 college students at SUNY Brockport college who completed an online survey. Of those students, 114 reported cannabis use. The Comprehensive Marijuana Motivations Questionnaire (CMMQ) was used to assess 12 types of motivation for using cannabis. The survey also assessed frequency of their cannabis use, negative consequences associated with cannabis use including academic and life strain, theory of planned behavior indices, and parental active tracking. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and bivariate correlations to examine relationships among motivations for cannabis use. Multivariate regressions were uses to analyze frequency of cannabis use and negative consequences.
Results of the data analysis found enjoyment was the most commonly reported motivation for cannabis use while conformity was the least commonly reported motivation. After accounting for covariates, sleep, enjoyment, and coping were the strongest motivational predictors for frequency of use. Negative consequences of use were most strongly predicted by coping, boredom, and enjoyment motivations. Greater perceived behavioral control and parental active tracking were associated with reduced frequency of cannabis use.
Takeaway: A variety of motivations, such as enjoyment, sleep, and coping, may provide predictive value for frequency of cannabis use among college students.