The rate of student service members/veterans (SSM/V) transitioning to college has grown significantly in recent years. It has been reported that SSM/V demonstrate more alcohol and tobacco use and less cannabis use in comparison to non-veteran students. SSM/V also describe struggles to connect socially with non-veteran students which could influence substance use patterns within this population. Additionally, gender may impact motivations and prevalence of use of substances including cannabis. This study examines the potential relationship between veteran status and gender identity and its impact on motives and frequency of cannabis use in college students.
The study’s sample consisted of 1,011 students from Colorado State University who indicated cannabis use at least once in their lifetime. Approximately 48.7% of participants identified as men and 51.3% as women. Motivations for cannabis use were assessed using a modified version of the marijuana motives measure (MMM). Participants were then asked to describe the frequency of their cannabis use and enhancing or coping motives behind use. Data was analyzed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to authenticate the MMM and confirm that the measure was invariant between analysis groups (non-veteran and SSM/V, men and women). Invariance testing was also utilized to detect differences in cannabis use motives between the groups.
Results of the data analysis found that the invariance testing of MMM showed metric invariance but not scalar invariance. Further analysis of the groups revealed that SSM/V had fewer cannabis use days in the past 30 days in comparison to non-veteran students. SSM/V women indicated fewer enhancement motives in regard to cannabis use in comparison to SSM/V men and non-veteran men and women. SSM/V men and women also endorsed less use of cannabis to conform compared to non-veteran men and women. SSM/V men and women indicated less use cannabis to be more open to experiences in comparison to non-veteran men and women. SSM/V women reported more use of cannabis to cope compared to non-veteran men and women. Lastly, SSM/V men and women indicated less use of cannabis socially than non-veteran men and women.
Takeaway: Use of a modified marijuana motives measure (MMM) in student service members and veterans and non-veteran college students may provide predictive value when assessing motives and frequency of cannabis use.