Assessment of Marijuana Use and Psychosocial Behaviors at Two Historically Black Universities

Abstract

Research exploring marijuana use patterns in students at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs)is relatively sparse. This study sought to empirically assess three constructs (resilient, invulnerable, and vulnerable)as they relate to marijuana use and to assess the role of spirituality and social support as potential buffering mechanisms. Participants in this study were 1,013 African American undergraduate students from two HBCUs in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Participants completed a 95-item survey assessing demographic and behavioral patterns of college students. The findings provide preliminary support for quantitative distinctions between marijuana risk categories based on the selected risk and protective factors. In particular, respondents who continue to use marijuana (vulnerables)were less spiritual compared to those who either halted use (resilients) or those who never used marijuana at all (invulnerables). Implications are discussed in terms of theory-building and prevention strategies.

Perceived Norms and Marijuana Use at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

“…These findings expand on previous research on college students' marijuana use conducted at HBCUs. Past investigations (see Bowen-Reid & Rhodes, 2003;Rhodes et al, 2008) have found that marijuana use and marijuanaimpaired driving occurred on HBCU campuses; however, our findings extend this line of inquiry by identifying possible risk profiles, based on a set of variables, of students who engage in these behaviors. These emerging profiles can provide college counselors with greater insight into possible prevention, early intervention, and treatment strategies.…”

“…Approximately one fourth (23.8%) of students reported smoking marijuana within the past 30 days, and roughly one in 10 (9.1%) participants reported smoking marijuana 20 or more times in the past 30 days. These percentages are elevated compared to research across other HBCUs (Bowen-Reid & Rhodes, 2003;Rhodes et al, 2008).…”

“…Whereas substance abuse and associated consequences have been extensively studied on traditionally White college campuses, there is a scarcity of research on the prevalence of substance use and negative consequences at HBCUs (Bowen‐Reid & Rhodes, ). Furthermore, there appears to be no research on the relationship between social norms and substance abuse at HBCUs.…”

“…Although most studies on health behaviors of African American college students occurred at predominantly White institutions (Hayes et al, ), research on marijuana use at HBCUs suggests the need for increased attention. In a survey of marijuana use and psychosocial behaviors on two HBCUs, Bowen‐Reid and Rhodes () found that more than half of their sample (52%) reported using marijuana during their lifetimes. Surveying African American full‐time 1st‐year students attending an HBCU, Rhodes, Peters, Perrino, and Bryant () found that 21% of respondents reported use of marijuana during the past 30 days.…”

“…Epidemiological studies of substance use among undergraduates have indicated that African American students use marijuana at lower rates compared with their White counterparts (Johnston, O'Malley, Bachman, & Schulenberg, ). However, because most research on marijuana use by African American students has been conducted at predominantly White colleges and universities, the prevalence of marijuana use among students enrolled at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) remains unclear (Bowen‐Reid & Rhodes, ). Moreover, the psychosocial determinants of marijuana use and related negative consequences among students attending HBCUs are poorly understood (Dowdall & Wechsler, ).…”