Previous research has shown college student service members/veterans (SSM/V) may be at higher risk for substance use due to education challenges, significant life changes, and psychological distress. The current study looks at comparing cannabis use among college SSM/V and civilian college students.
To complete the study, 164 college SSM/V and 456 civilian students were recruited with 78% being female with an average age of 19.6 years. Participants answered questionnaires about demographics, cannabis use, cannabis-related problems, cannabis use disorder symptoms, and depression, anxiety and stress. Cannabis-related problems were assessed by asking participants to self-report problems (19 items) they experienced in the last year due to cannabis use. Cannabis use disorder was assessed by asking participants to assess tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed by using scales for each that included items such as hopelessness, trembling, anhedonia, and difficulty breathing.
Results showed an average of 1.9 cannabis use days out of the previous month. Findings also pointed to normative levels for anxiety, depression, and stress among all participants combined. Researchers did not find any differences in demographics, depression, anxiety, and stress. They also found no differences between SSM/V and civilian college students in number of days for past month cannabis use or past year cannabis-related problems. It was found SSM/V students reported more past year cannabis use disorder symptoms. Research also showed for SSM/V students, elevated levels of anxiety correlated with more frequent cannabis use. These findings show that anxiety may be an important risk factor in SSM/V students and education and interventions may benefit from addressing this anxiety.
Take Away: The current study looks at comparing cannabis use among college student service members/ veterans (SSM/V) and civilian college students. 164 college SSM/V and 456 civilian students were recruited for the study and participants answered questions about demographics, cannabis use, cannabis-related problems, cannabis use disorder, and depression, anxiety and stress. Results showed an average of 1.9 cannabis use days during the previous month. There were no differences in demographics, depression, anxiety, stress, number of cannabis use days, and past year cannabis-related problems. Research showed for SSM/V students, elevated levels of anxiety correlated with more frequent cannabis use. These findings show anxiety may be an important risk factor in SSM/V students with education and interventions benefiting from addressing this anxiety.