This study examines college students' attitudes about marijuana use and its effects on academic and social performance. A survey of 80 students at California State University, Long Beach asked about their beliefs on how marijuana impacts areas like concentration, motivation, and social involvement. While over half of students agreed marijuana can help with relaxation and forgetting worries, most disagreed that it helps with focus or studying. Statistical tests found no significant differences in attitudes based on gender or class standing. The results suggest students see benefits to marijuana for socializing and stress relief, but recognize downsides for academic engagement and success.
Past nonmedical opioid use could predict future heroin use among teensΔρ. Γιώργος K. Κασάπης
Two studies published yesterday point to predictors of teens using drugs. Researchers in one study found that teens who used opioids when they were not prescribed for medical reasons were more likely to later use heroin. Of the nearly 3,300 high schoolers who were included in the study, those who previously used opioids were about 11% more likely to use heroin, while those who currently used opioids were about 13% more likely to use heroin.
Another study found that there was no increase in teenagers using marijuana if they lived in a state that had laws legalizing the drug. In fact, in states with recreational marijuana laws, the odds of teen marijuana use were about 10% less following legalization.
In this longitudinal study, researchers used standardized measures and multiple informants to examine differences in externalizing behavior and substance use among childhood cancer survivors and comparison peers during adolescence. The roles of peer acceptance, social behavior and medical factors were of focus.
Past nonmedical opioid use could predict future heroin use among teensΔρ. Γιώργος K. Κασάπης
Two studies published yesterday point to predictors of teens using drugs. Researchers in one study found that teens who used opioids when they were not prescribed for medical reasons were more likely to later use heroin. Of the nearly 3,300 high schoolers who were included in the study, those who previously used opioids were about 11% more likely to use heroin, while those who currently used opioids were about 13% more likely to use heroin.
Another study found that there was no increase in teenagers using marijuana if they lived in a state that had laws legalizing the drug. In fact, in states with recreational marijuana laws, the odds of teen marijuana use were about 10% less following legalization.
In this longitudinal study, researchers used standardized measures and multiple informants to examine differences in externalizing behavior and substance use among childhood cancer survivors and comparison peers during adolescence. The roles of peer acceptance, social behavior and medical factors were of focus.
To demonstrate Participatory Action Research (PAR) used to explore, collect and analyse data to understand children’s information experience including their
perception of cancer and information culture; information needs, information seeking behaviour, barriers and enablers.
Anthropological and bioethics study of clinical research in Malawiwellcome.trust
Presented by Joseph Mfutso-Bengo PhD (Centre for Bioethics in Eastern and Southern Africa) at the Public Engagement Workshop, 2-5 Dec. 2008, KwaZulu-Natal South Africa, http://scienceincommunity.wordpress.com/
Clearing the Error: Patient Participation in Reducing Diagnostic ErrorJefferson Center
To generate new, patient-centered insights into diagnostic error, we convened diverse groups in public deliberation to recommend and evaluate actions that patients and/or their advocates would be willing and able to perform to improve diagnostic quality.
New York State Drug Court Program: The
participant will be able to: Demonstrate the efficacy of
patient navigation in order to improve maternal/child
health outcomes and parenting skills for the court
involved population.
To demonstrate Participatory Action Research (PAR) used to explore, collect and analyse data to understand children’s information experience including their
perception of cancer and information culture; information needs, information seeking behaviour, barriers and enablers.
Anthropological and bioethics study of clinical research in Malawiwellcome.trust
Presented by Joseph Mfutso-Bengo PhD (Centre for Bioethics in Eastern and Southern Africa) at the Public Engagement Workshop, 2-5 Dec. 2008, KwaZulu-Natal South Africa, http://scienceincommunity.wordpress.com/
Clearing the Error: Patient Participation in Reducing Diagnostic ErrorJefferson Center
To generate new, patient-centered insights into diagnostic error, we convened diverse groups in public deliberation to recommend and evaluate actions that patients and/or their advocates would be willing and able to perform to improve diagnostic quality.
New York State Drug Court Program: The
participant will be able to: Demonstrate the efficacy of
patient navigation in order to improve maternal/child
health outcomes and parenting skills for the court
involved population.
This report contains information on Ventura County and the different benefits and drawbacks of its different health care services. It is intended as an overview of Ventura County’s health status.
Disparities in Health Care: The Significance of Socioeconomic StatusAmanda Romano-Kwan
This research paper discusses the disparities in the health care system, with a specific focus on socioeconomic status and how it affects the access and availability of quality care.
Running head DRUG ABUSE AND ADDICTION1DRUG ABUSE AND ADDICTION.docxjeanettehully
Running head: DRUG ABUSE AND ADDICTION 1
DRUG ABUSE AND ADDICTION 6
Drug Abuse and Addiction
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
Public Safety Issue: Drug Abuse and Addiction
Public safety issue refers to any problem which threatens the wellbeing of people and prosperity of communities. A solution to such challenges is crucial in order to ensure that safety of people is protected and safeguarded. The issue of drug abuse and concern among school going teenagers has become a major problem in United States. According to a survey conducted by Monitoring the Future (MTF), on average, 29 percent of the school kids between grades 8, 10, and 12 were found to be using drugs. This has raised a major concern that requires the government to work closely with relevant public safety organizations in order to contain this issue.
Research Topic: The Importance of Introducing Drug Abuse Unit in The Curriculum of the American Education System
Overview
According to findings of Monitoring the Future survey released in 2018, there is a significant increase in number of school going youths engaging in drug abuse activities. Marijuana, opioid abuse, alcohol, synthetic drugs, tobacco, and nicotine are among the top drugs and substances abused by teenagers and school going kids. These statistics are alarming since they present one of the major challenge to the wellbeing and prosperity of the future generation. Many anti-drug abuse and addiction organizations such as National Institutes on Health (NIH), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) have been working relentlessly to curb this rising level of drug abuse and addiction among teenagers. Despite all the efforts by these organizations, their programs have failed to achieve any substantial success as far the fight against drug abuse and addiction among teenagers is concerned. This research is aimed at exploring the relevant literature from books, peer-reviewed journals, publications, and other academic effort in the effort to present the dire need to integrate drug abuse into the curriculum of the American education system. The findings of the research will be a boost to the government and other public safety organizations in the fight against drug abuse and addiction among teenagers and school going youths.
Annotated Bibliography
Duncan, D. T., Palamar, J. J., & Williams, J. H. (2014). Perceived neighborhood illicit drug selling, peer illicit drug disapproval and illicit drug use among US high school seniors. Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy, 9(1), 35.
The paper explores the problem of marijuana use among the students in U.S. high schools. Notably, more than 45.5 percent of the respondents revealed that they have used marijuana once on their lifetime while the other 36.4 percent revealing that they have used marijuana in the last one year. Additionally, another 22.7 percent of the respondents noting that they have been consta ...
Running head: RESEARCH PAPER PROPOSAL 1
Research paper proposal
Two cognitive domain articles:
The first cognitive domain article is Evaluating a Selective Prevention Programme for Binge
Drinking Among Young Adolescents: Study Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial.
● Study goals: substance abuse is danger for the teenager, but having a prevention
programme can reduce the danger from substance abuse.
● Subjects: substance abuse prevention programme for alcohol-related risks to
cognitive functions teenager.
● In the results, I found that teenages who are heavy abuse of alcohol seems have
the risk development of cognitive abilities; and teenagers who abuse alcohol will
develop higher damage cognitive functions than in adult.
● A possible campus resources to address the issue is wellness & health
promotion-Alcohol Consultations. In the campus Alcohol Consultations, it
provide the individual alcohol consultation to increase the cognition of alcohol
damage for human development.
The second cognitive domain article is Cognitive Predictors of Problem Drinking and AUDIT
Scores Among College Students.
● Study goals: within substance abuse, what’s the differences in cognitive processes.
● Subjects: substance abuse is relate to a range of differences in cognitive processes.
Running head: RESEARCH PAPER PROPOSAL 2
● In the results, I found that alcohol user develop attentional bias and impulsive decision
than the others who are not a alcohol drinker; And the heavy alcohol abuser are likely to
develop the cognitive disability over twice than the non alcohol abuser.
● Overall, in San Jose State University, a possible campus resources to address the issue is
Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC). SHAC as an advisory body has provide
quality advisory services for student to address the health problems on different domains.
Two social domain articles:
The first social domain article is Prevention and Treatment of College Student Drug Dse: A
Review of the Literature.
● Study goal: to discover how the individual will get influence from the peer
interaction through the social.
● Subjects: social influences.
● In the results, I found that peer who abuse alcohol and drug will influence and
cause the higher rate of the people around them on abuse; And social norms
divided into two parts, which are descriptive norms and injunctive norms. These
two norms are shows the individual will get influence from the misperceive of
others action, thus affecting their own behavior.
● A possible campus resources to address the issue is Health and Wellness Related
Groups (Peer Health Educators).
The second social domain article is Peer Associations for Substance Use and Exercise in a
College Student Social Network.
Running h.
708There is a wealth of literature highlighting the ne.docxevonnehoggarth79783
708
T
here is a wealth of literature highlighting the
negative physical (eg, type II diabetes, car-
diovascular problems) and psychosocial (eg,
depression, low self-worth) consequences of ado-
lescent obesity.1-3 However, less attention has been
given to the role adolescent weight status plays in
future health-risk behaviors, such as problematic
substance use. With adolescent overweight and
obesity rates remaining high (33.6% overweight,
18.4% obese 12-19 years),4 and substance use
more prevalent in young adulthood than any other
developmental period,5 identification of adolescent
weight status as a predictor of future problematic
substance use behavior is likely to have a signifi-
cant impact on research and clinical work aimed to
reduce multiple health risks in the transition from
adolescence to adulthood.
Adolescence is a crucial period for prevention ef-
forts aimed to reduce problematic substance use in
young adulthood. According to the National Survey
of Drug Use and Health,5 young adults have the
highest rates of current tobacco use (39.5% overall
including 33.5% cigarette use) and illicit drug use
(21.4%), with 19.0% using marijuana in the past
month. Binge drinking has been reported for 39.8%
and heavy alcohol use for 12.1% of 18- to 25-year-
olds. In the past 30 years, many epidemiological
longitudinal studies have identified several key
risk factors for problematic substance use, includ-
ing regular cigarette smoking, binge drinking, and
marijuana use, in adolescence and young adult-
hood. Temperament,6 behavioral disinhibition,7 ex-
ternalizing behaviors,8 poor parental monitoring,9
lack of parental support,10 negative peer interac-
tions,11 and affiliation with deviant peers12 have
been well-established as critical factors involved in
the development of problematic substance use.13-15
Considering the array of risk factors in adolescence
contributing to future problematic substance use,
it is likely that other health-risk conditions, such
as overweight or obesity status, are linked to prob-
lematic substance use behavior.
Little is currently known about the relationship
between adolescent weight status and future prob-
lematic substance use; however, use of an adoles-
cent developmental framework is likely to increase
our understanding of why this relationship may be
a significant one to address. One explanation may
be that a shared underlying factor like impulsivity
may explain co-occurring obesity and problematic
substance use. As children learn to self-regulate
behaviors, those who have difficulties with self-
control are more likely to over-consume energy-
dense food contributing to obesity risk16,17 and en-
gage in antisocial behaviors leading to substance
abuse and dependence.18,19 Although a shared
underlying factor explanation is plausible, under-
standing adolescent behavior without considering
the social context is incomplete.
H. Isabella Lanza, Research Associate and Chri.
Journal Article Review Requirements and FormatEach review shou.docxchristiandean12115
Journal Article Review Requirements and Format
Each review should contain in summary form the following sections: type and underline these section titles in the review.
Section 1: Introduction to the problem and brief literature review (what is the problem/purpose of research effort)
Section 2: Methodologies employed in the study (population and sampling technique should be included as well as all methods/statistical analyses techniques)
Section 3: Data Analysis (what do the data indicate?)
Section 4: Conclusion and Implications? What are your conclusions about the article?
Each review should be 2 pages, but not more than 4 pages, single-spaced, in length.
I expect that each of you will have read, analyzed and summarized the articles you select to review. You should cite the full citation at the top of page 1.
You should use APA citation style only–go to Purdue University Website OWL (online writing lab).
Do not cite the article anywhere else in the review. I already know who you are citing.
10 or 12 point font only and do not include a “title page”.
Type your name in the upper right hand corner of page 1.
Correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar are required.
Section headings should be bold faced and underlined for example—see below how to do this and how to start writing the review. Recall, no first or second person language should be used:
Introduction and Literature Review
This research study focused on the drug usage of high schools in the United States…..
Methodologies
This research study distributed survey questionnaires to 405 high school students located in three U.S. cities. The total population of students was 5,609. Using random selection, 405 students were selected to participate in the study. The researchers also interviewed school principals and counselors to confirm and validate student responses…..
Data Analysis
The results of the survey questionnaire indicated that……
Conclusions and Implications
This study confirmed that over seventy-five percent of American high school students have experimented with illegal drug use. However…..
Tips and Pointers to Remember:
No first or second person language is to be used in formal writing. Students can state their views in the third person. For example, it is not necessary to say “I believe that high school students are using drugs too frequently today”. The same message can be conveyed by stating it this way:
“high school students are using drugs too frequently today”.
Use correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling in all formal writing assignments. Use the grammar and spell check functions on the word processor. Proof read all written work carefully before submission.
Only Micro Soft Word should be used for type-written assignments. No other word processing program should be used in this class. If the instructor cannot open your document to read and grade it, then the student will earn a zero for the assignment.
Students are to access the jo.
IJRET-V1I2P2 - Influence of Drug use on Academic Performance Among Secondary ...ISAR Publications
Drug use has become prevalent today than any other time in Kenya. Youths are using drugs which modify their mental, emotional and behavioural functioning. The purpose of this study therefore was to investigate the influence of drug use on academic performance among secondary school students in Matinyani district. Descriptive survey was used in this study. Fourteen public secondary schools were involved with population of 1701 students. Purposive sampling was used in the sample selection to select 5 schools which included a girls� boarding, a boys� boarding school, a mixed day school, a mixed boarding school and a mixed day and a boarding school. A sample size of 269 was used. The data was collected by use of a Core Alcohol and Drug Survey Questionnaire. Validity and reliability of the study instrument was established through a pilot study. A correlation coefficient alpha of 0.7408 was obtained. According to, Fraenkel and Wallen (2002) a reliability co efficient of 0.7 or more implies high degree of reliability. Data was analysed by use of descriptive statistics with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Percentages, tables, bar graphs and charts were used in presenting and summarizing the findings. The study established that drug use is common among secondary school students in Matinyani district; students drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes and chew miraa/khat. The study findings on emerging trends drug use revealed that most of the students started taking drugs at adolescent stage.
Measuring Drug and Alcohol Use AmongCollege Student-AthletesAbramMartino96
Measuring Drug and Alcohol Use Among
College Student-Athletes∗
James N. Druckman, Northwestern University
Mauro Gilli, Northwestern University
Samara Klar, University of Arizona
Joshua Robison, Aahus University
Objective. Few issues in athletics today receive more attention than drug and alcohol usage, especially
when it comes to college athletics. We seek to address self-report biases related to drug usage and
heavy drinking. Methods. We employ an experimental measurement technique. Results. Our results
suggest that a greater percentage of student-athletes from a major conference knowingly engage in
these two behaviors than self-reports indicate. Specifically, we find 37 percent of respondents seem
to have taken banned performance-enhancing drugs (compared to 4.9 percent who directly admit
to doing so when asked), and 46 percent seem to have consumed more than five drinks in a week
(compared to about 3 percent who openly admit to doing so). Conclusions. We provide evidence for
the extent of self-underreporting when it comes to drug and alcohol usage among college athletes.
That said, future work is needed to accurately pinpoint specific substances and the frequency with
which they are taken; for example, it could be the percentage of individuals using banned substances
stems from consuming significant concentrations of caffeine (e.g., multiple cups of coffee).
Drug and alcohol use by college students is a frequently debated and often controversial
topic. This subject has received particular attention when it comes to student-athletes.
Evidence of the importance of assessing drug and alcohol usage among student-athletes
is exemplified by a 2012 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) report whose
“primary objective [was] to update NCAA policy makers with both current and historical
information concerning levels of drug and alcohol use by student-athletes within college
athletics” (2012: 4). In this article, we employ an experimental technique that allows us
to offer a more accurate assessment of usage than extant studies provide. We begin in the
next section with a literature review that leads us to an explication of our approach. We
then present results from our survey. Our evidence demonstrates that the commonly used
self-report method for estimating drug and alcohol use found in existing studies, including
in the aforementioned NCAA report, seem to understate usage.
The Challenge of Measuring Drug and Alcohol Usage
To our knowledge, there is surprisingly little written on drug use among college student-
athletes and, when it comes to student-athletes’ own input on this controversial issue,
∗Direct correspondence to James N. Druckman, Department of Political Science, Northwestern
University, Scott Hall, 601 University Place, Evanston, IL 60208 〈[email protected]〉. All
data and coding for replication purposes are available at James N. Druckman’s professional webpage
〈http://faculty.wcas.northwestern.edu/�jnd260/publications. ...
Join the SociologyCriminology Club along with Alpha Kappa Del.docxchristiandean12115
Join the Sociology/Criminology Club along with
Alpha Kappa Delta, International Sociology Honor Society &
Alpha Phi Sigma, Criminology Honor Society
When: Thursday, March 2 at 5:00 pm
Where: LC 140
Pizza will be provided! RSVP: 305-284-6762 for Facebook
Guest Speaker Lissa Franklin
from URecovery
…speaking about her club/program and her experience with addiction
Upcoming Events & Activities:
3/21 Liberty Square: Power, History, and Race in Miami
3/28 CSI:UMIAMI
Elections
Research, Creativity, Innovation Forum
Study Break
Induction of Honor Society Members
U Recovery: A Collegiate Recovery Community at the University of Miami, is an organization that creates an environment in which recovering students can interact socially, and be of maximum service to the University of Miami. We provide the much-needed nurturing and affirming environment for social and psychological change as students recover from substance use disorders and process addictions, enabling a student in recovery to embrace a normative collegiate experience, and serve as a catalyst for a culture shift on campus. We spearhead innovation by encouraging and promoting recovery research, and we enhance the collegiate learning experience by increasing retention, graduation, and academic success for students in recovery. We are of service through student leadership and active community involvement, by being a voice for the implementation of a positive social justice intervention in the University setting and outside community as a whole. We maintain that the science of abstinence-based approaches to recovery is meaningful and will not be discounted, and all pathways to recovery are welcomed. Finally, we can #recoveroutloud, because of #collegiaterecovery !
Currently, there are over 150 active Collegiate Recovery Programs across the United States, supported by the Association of Recovery in Higher Education, and Transforming Youth Recovery. For more general information, please visit: www.collegiaterecovery.org and www.transformingyouthrecovery.org
Portal Information
Description
U Recovery: A Collegiate Recovery Community at the University of Miami, is an organization that creates an environment in which recovering students can interact socially, and be of maximum service to the University of Miami. We provide the much-needed nurturing and affirming environment for social and psychological change as students recover from substance use disorders and process addictions, enabling a student in recovery to embrace a normative collegiate experience, and serve as a catalyst for a culture shift on campus. We maintain that the science of abstinence-based approaches to recovery is meaningful and will not be discounted, and all pathways to recovery are welcomed. Finally, we can #recoveroutloud, because of #collegiaterecovery !
Currently, there are over 150 active Collegiate Recovery Programs across the United States, supported by the Association of Recovery in Higher Educatio.
Substance Abuses among the Students of Higher Secondary Schools: A Case Studyiosrjce
The present investigator aims to study the contribution of the areas related to the Substance Abuses
among the Adolescence Students of Higher Secondary Schools. This paper attempts to make a thorough,
comprehensive and analytical study by exploring the causes of becoming an individual substance abuse in
relation to psychological factor, peer group pressure, joyfulness, tension remover, rebelliousness, intercultural
influences, curiosity, climatic condition, easy availability, future insecurity and modernization. From the result
of the research the administrator, teachers and parents may help children through early education about
psychoactive substances, open communications, good role modeling, and early recognition if problems are
developing. No single measure would be effective to prevent the use of drugs until and unless home, school and
society all the three collectively and cooperatively tackle the problems of substances abuse from different
angles
Both these ideas were based on the underage consumption of alcohol.docxAASTHA76
Both these ideas were based on the underage consumption of alcohol lading to illegal behavior that is common in the college going students. Attachment theory stands on the concept that human beings have a natural desire and innate requirement of being appreciated and accepted by others. Survey then led to the confirmatory analysis which enforced two-factor of attachment theory, comprising parental affection or attachment and peer attachment, both these types of accessories represent trust, non-estrangement, and communication, Which means that all the adults or youngsters are emotionally attached to their parents or the people of their group (Foster, Vaughan, Foster, & Califano Jr, 2013).
The results manifested the hypotheses that sheltered peer attachment positively concluded behavioral control and values towards alcohol, but protected maternal affection inversely completed behavioral control and values towards alcohol. Alcohol norms, behavioral control and attitudes individually elaborate alcohol objective, which showed an elevation in this behavior within a month. All these findings reinforce recommendations for agenda created to shorten the risk levels of underage drinking using the idea of Attachment theory and Theory of planned behavior TPB.
I. Social Learning Theory:
This research is associated with the methods of getting alcohol in underage, use of substance, underage drinking and this kind of other deviations, this study consider the application of social learning theory. Youngsters under adulthood age are getting alcohol illegally. Past researches show that young alcohol abusers use other persons for this purpose, and these other individuals include any stranger who is adult enough to drink legally (Miller, Levy, Spicer, & Taylor, 2010).
This procedure of getting alcohol is called black marketing. It has been observed that black market organization was made while taking alcohol illegally in association with the other black market organization, other black market anomaly or global anomaly. For study purpose, use of black market sources defined as the utilization of an unknown person trying to obtain illegal substance like alcohol, drugs, etc. thus sources was labeled black market, if the individual participating was an unknown. The materials under consideration in this study include alcohol and marijuana. The study sample was comprised of undergraduate’s students from the organizational pool from a southeastern university.
The questionnaire was filled through the online survey and analyzed statistically by multivariate statistical techniques (Foster, et al., 2013).Youth alcohol consumption includes a lot of research work. This study covers almost all the aspects from divergence related to underage drinking to the hazardous results it causes on health. A huge part of the sample population is the college students. Binge drinking, underage drinking, and general drinking are considered by average or dominant America ...
TITLE DEFENSE extreme super duper finale mode [Autosaved].pptx
Marijuana & Performance of College Students
1. Running head: MARIJUANA & PERFORMANCE OF COLLEGE STUDENTS 1
Marijuana & Performance of College Students
Najwa Alburaiki, Mallorie Ben, Jackeline Marquez, & Amanda Romano-Kwan
California State University of Long Beach
2. MARIJUANA & PERFORMANCE OF COLLEGE STUDENTS 2
Abstract
This study examines the different attitudes and beliefs of college students towards the use of
marijuana and its effects on college performance. There is a growing rate of marijuana use
among college students, especially those who are transitioning from high school graduate to
college freshman. The research in this paper discusses the functions of marijuana, its typically
negative effects on academic performance, and the potential reasons students may have for
cannabis consumption. Since each individual has a different interpretation of a successful college
career, college performance was evaluated by measuring both social and academic involvement.
By recording the different perceptions that students have towards marijuana’s influences towards
various social and academic situations, it is possible to determine whether there is a statistically
significant difference of beliefs between the various demographic groups analyzed.
Key Words: Marijuana, college students, academic performance
3. MARIJUANA & PERFORMANCE OF COLLEGE STUDENTS 3
Marijuana & Performance of College Students
The use of marijuana has been a controversial subject in recent years. Although medical
marijuana has been legalized in various states, its social use is still a largely debated topic. The
Cannabis plant is sold and used in many forms, but the most common form of use is the smoking
of marijuana. Due to the media’s portrayal of marijuana, a vast majority of people frown on its
use, including those who have medical reasons for consumption. Cannabis is a popular drug
amongst college students, despite the many studies proving that the use of marijuana can
negatively affect a person’s academic standing. There is a growing rate of marijuana usage
amongst college students, and studies speculate that this increasing prevalence is due to social
circumstances and influences, or common misconceptions about marijuana that students hold
(Bell, Wechsler, & Johnston, 2006). It is important to recognize the high prevalence of marijuana
use amongst college students, as well as the potential effects that it may have on their academic
careers due to the misconceptions and beliefs students hold.
The negative neurocognitive effects of marijuana include a deficiency in memory,
decision-making, engagement, and working on complex tasks (Becker, Collins, & Luciana,
2014). Some research suggests that the major effect of marijuana use is in the attentional or
executive system, which is mediated by the brainstem structures and prefrontal cortical regions
(Pope Jnr & Yurgelun-Todd, 1995). However, there is no statistically significant difference
between recent and past use of marijuana and neurocognitive performance, despite both recent
and past users showing consistently lower results that non-users of marijuana (Thames, Arbid, &
Sayegh, 2014).
Despite studies proving that students who aim for higher goals are less likely to have
problems relating to substance abuse, marijuana use amongst the high-achieving college crowd is
4. MARIJUANA & PERFORMANCE OF COLLEGE STUDENTS 4
becoming more and more popular (Wright & Palfai, 2012), especially in students transitioning
from high school graduates to college freshman (Brown University Child & Adolescent
Psychopharmacology Update, 2014). Therefore, it is necessary to discuss the effects of marijuana
on student performance. Studies have shown that frequent marijuana use tends to prolong a
student’s graduation time, which can result in a lower GPA (Arria, Caldeira, Bugbee, Vincent, &
O'Grady, 2015). Previous research has demonstrated that the use of marijuana does not improve
an individual’s well-being, a common misconception, and that it can lead to negative
consequences (Allen & Holder, 2014). Furthermore, those who crave cannabis and its effects
tend to suffer from negative impacts on motivation and academic performance due to poor
concentration (Phillips, Phillips, Lalonde, & Tormohlen, 2015).
Regardless of the controversial pitfalls of marijuana’s use on academic performance,
college students tend to continue their consumption for other non-medical reasons. The
consumption of marijuana is largely contributed to its function as a coping mechanism.
Marijuana directly affects the human body’s stress arousal system after being ingested, and
chronic marijuana use has been consistently cited as being used to regulate stress. The
consumption of marijuana can be correlated to multiple stress-related factors, including traumatic
stress, negative life events, maladaptive coping, and family dysfunction (Hyman & Sinha, 2009).
However, studies show that although cannabis can be used for a plethora of medical reasons—
including pain and stress relief, asthma, anorexia, and even cancer— the two most significant
functions for non-medical student use are for activity enhancement and personal and physical
effects enhancement (Bates, Accordino, & Hewes, 2010). This study shows that college students
primarily use marijuana for an enhanced social environment, rather than to affect their mood, a
common misconception. This could be due to the large socially active environment that most
5. MARIJUANA & PERFORMANCE OF COLLEGE STUDENTS 5
college campuses offer, as well as peer pressure from other students. Those who use marijuana or
who have friends who do tend to associate the drug with more positive outcomes than those who
are non-users (Neighbors, Geisner, & Lee, 2008). According to one study, over half of the
students who surveyed wrongly believed that most students use marijuana at least once a year
(Kilmer, Walker, Lee, Palmer, & Mallett, 2006). Parents and peer influences also play a strong
role towards a student’s use or non-use of marijuana (Pinchevsky, et al., 2012).
The increasing rate of marijuana use in graduating high schoolers to college freshman is
a primary concern of this research study. To research this, the study reviews the different effects
that the use of marijuana can have on college performance. It is important to review the full
effects of marijuana, both beneficial and detrimental, to the human body, as well as to understand
the potential influences that students may have for their consumption of marijuana. Finally, the
“performance” of a college student must be determined by reviewing the multiple factors of a
successful college career, identifying both social and academic aspects of student life. The
purpose of this study seeks to examine the attitudes and beliefs of college students towards
marijuana and its effects on performance. Measuring different college student’s reflections of
marijuana use and its effects can help other researchers gain insight to the many reasons that
college students use marijuana.
Methods
Participants
A convenience sample of 80 undergraduate students from California State University,
Long Beach (CSULB), ages 18-28, male and female, participated in this study. The participants
were recruited from various classrooms in the Health and Human Services department. The
questionnaire included four demographic questions to get an idea of who the participants were.
6. MARIJUANA & PERFORMANCE OF COLLEGE STUDENTS 6
Students were first asked to state their gender. The current study had a total of 80 participants,
with 62 females and only 18 males, making women 77.5% of the survey’s population.
Participants were then asked to list their age. The participant’s ages ranged from 18 to 28, with
20 year olds being the most frequent at 23.8%. Since the pool of participants attended CSULB,
the survey therefore asked to know which Major College most students were a part of for more
information about their educational background. Students could select any one of the seven
Major Colleges offered at CSULB: the College of Business Administration, Education,
Engineering, Health and Human Services, Liberal Arts, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, or
the College of Arts. The surveys were passed out to different classrooms in the Health and
Human Services buildings; therefore a majority of the participants were from the Health and
Human Services department of CSULB, making up 58.8% of the survey results. Finally, the
survey asked for the participants to state their current class standing as students of CSULB. A
majority of the students who participated in the survey reported Junior standing, making up 45%
of the survey population. Most of the other students were Sophomores (18.8%) or Seniors
(26.3%), with only 10% of the remaining population consisting of first year (Freshman) or fifth
year (Super Senior) students.
Design
Data was collected from college students within one week in various Health and Human
Services classrooms. The survey contained independent variables specific to each student, and
the dependent variables varied on a person’s beliefs towards marijuana affecting the social and
academic performance of college students. The independent variables for the research consisted
of age, gender, major, and class standing. The research measured the relationship between these
independent variables in connection to the feelings and opinions students held about marijuana
7. MARIJUANA & PERFORMANCE OF COLLEGE STUDENTS 7
use and its effect on their academic and social performance. Moreover, the dependent variables
consisted of the effects marijuana can induce in social environments and the beliefs a person
holds on how it can help a person. The survey contained one continuous variable, which was age,
and the rest of the survey questions measured the beliefs students held towards how marijuana
affects the performance of college students.
Procedure
Participants in the study were informed that their participation in taking the surveys was
completely optional. Participants were also informed to answer the surveys truthfully and to the
best of their ability, and that there are no wrong answers, but simply different opinions. The
surveys were passed out to several Health and Human Services classrooms and asked
participants about their attitudes and beliefs towards marijuana and whether or not they believe
that marijuana use can affect their college performance. Each survey took approximately 10-15
minutes to complete.
Measures
This study used a Likert Scale, which measures an individual’s attitudes towards a
particular statement. The survey used this measurement as a drug attitude scale. The research
used the Likert Scale to measure the attitudes of college students towards marijuana’s effects on
performance. The responses gathered from participants were measured on a scale from 1 to 5,
with 1 meaning that the student would “strongly disagree” and 5 meaning “strongly agree”. The
survey consisted of fifteen questions designed to measure the student’s attitudes towards
marijuana’s effects, specifically on the performance of college students. To do this, previous
research on similar studies was used to help create the right questions that would accurately
measure the results. With regards to reliability and validity, it is more important to be valid than
8. MARIJUANA & PERFORMANCE OF COLLEGE STUDENTS 8
to be reliable. Reliability is focused on the consistency of the survey being used, not the
respondents. This survey demonstrates internal consistency reliability, or homogeneity, which is
the consistency or equivalence of different questions intended to measure the same concept. This
means that each question in a survey is related to the same topic (Perrin, 2015). The questions in
this survey are similar questions based off the Drug Attitude Scale, a methodology report on
youth insights, and research on the functions of marijuana use in college students, and have been
modified to fit this study (Campbell & Chang, 2006). The Cronbach’s Alpha is the measurement
of internal consistency among a group of items (the survey). It allows researchers to determine
how well the items measure different aspects of the same topic, and ranges from 0 (lower internal
consistency) to 1 (higher internal consistency) (Perrin, 2015). The internal consistency of the
scale was determined by the Cronbach's alpha, which resulted in .87. With a Cronbach alpha
of .87, the survey results show a high internal consistency.
This study’s research question was: “Do you believe the use of marijuana can affect the
performance of college students?” The purpose of the research was to determine the attitudes of
college students towards marijuana’s effect on college performance. The questions in the survey
measure a person’s attitudes and beliefs towards different marijuana related activities and effects.
This research measures 3 different types of performance: social interaction, attitude/mood, and
motivation/concentration/focus. Because of this, the survey demonstrates construct validity.
Results
Descriptives
The sample consisted of college students ages 18-28 (M = 21.3, SD = 2.3). The majority
of participants were female (78.2%) and the remaining (22.5%) identified as male. The average
9. MARIJUANA & PERFORMANCE OF COLLEGE STUDENTS 9
of most participants came from the college of Health and Human Services department (59%) and
had Junior standing (46.2%).
In order to measure how college students perceive that marijuana use affects the
performance of college students, the survey consisted of questions regarding the social abilities
of a person. The most significant data arose from the frequency in which more than half of the
participants agreed on the effects that marijuana use can have. More than half of the participants
(55.1 %) agreed that marijuana use influences a person's relationship with another, which can
lead to increased social interaction and involvement of college clubs or Greek Life. The majority
of participants (48.7%) agreed that marijuana can help a person continue with the night’s
festivities. Based on previous research, this illustrates that the influences surrounding students
contributes to marijuana's popularity among college students. Participants agreed marijuana can
help a person feel better when they are down or depressed (51.3%) and to forget their worries
with a majority (50%) answering with agree. More than half of the participants (51.3%) agreed
that marijuana use can help a person relax. The data that measured the beliefs towards marijuana
use on the neurocognitive abilities resulted with 39.7% of participants agreeing that marijuana
inhibits a person's ability to be socially involved. The majority of participants (41%) agreed it
can be used to block unwanted thoughts and feelings. The majority for the measure of their
attitudes towards marijuana use being enjoyable answered with 38.5 percent.
The survey also measured the attitudes of college students towards marijuana use
affecting a person’s ability to succeed academically by asking how it affects a person's ability to
function. More than half of the participants (51.3%) agreed marijuana can affect a person’s
ability to pay attention, and 44.9% agreed that marijuana could make a person lazier. Moreover,
this demonstrates how students believe marijuana could affect their ability to be attentive with
10. MARIJUANA & PERFORMANCE OF COLLEGE STUDENTS 10
school material. The majority of participants (M = 2.6%, SD = .97) disagreed on marijuana being
capable of helping a person focus. The average responded to disagree for whether students
believed marijuana can help a person concentrate or study (M = 2.69, SD = 1.07). This
demonstrates the negative expectations students hold in marijuana affecting their ability to
impact their performance. In measuring whether marijuana can cause a student to skip class, the
survey asked whether marijuana can affect a person’s ability to be on time, and the average
responses were neutral (M = 3.33, SD = .98).
T-Tests
An independent-samples t-test was conducted to compare the attitudes of male and
female college students towards marijuana. There was a no significant difference present in the
data, but the closest one with the highest variation was the scores of males (M = 3.0, SD = 1.03)
and females (M = 2.5, SD = 0.92) in their attitude regarding marijuana’s ability to affect one’s
focus; t (78) = 1.98, p = 0.06. These results may suggest that one’s gender has an effect on
whether he or she believes that marijuana affects people’s focus. Within the data, all of the
questions reflecting the attitudes of college students towards marijuana do not possess a
significant difference. There is very little variation on the attitudes and beliefs of males and
females towards marijuana. These results suggest that one’s gender does not have an effect on
one’s perspective on marijuana use.
12. MARIJUANA & PERFORMANCE OF COLLEGE STUDENTS 12
ANOVA
A one-way between subjects ANOVA was conducted to compare the effect of one’s class
standing, as a Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, or Super Senior, on his or her attitude
towards marijuana use. One’s class standing made no significant difference within the data
questions, but the largest variation dealt with one’s attitude on whether marijuana affects a
person’s ability to pay attention. Although there was no statistically significant result in this
example, a Tukey post hoc test was also computed. This test is designed to compare each of the
conditions to every other condition. Running this Tukey post hoc test gave the ability to see and
compare the variations between each class standing. Through the data collected, it demonstrated
the variations in which each class standing answered each question. Although there were slight
differences, none of the variations came out to have a significant difference.
15. MARIJUANA & PERFORMANCE OF COLLEGE STUDENTS 15
Discussion
The results demonstrate that students believe marijuana can assist people as a coping
mechanism and can aid with socializing. It also highlighted the negative expectations students
hold in marijuana affecting their ability to impact their performance. The results present in the
data also possess no significant difference. Neither the independent sample t-test nor the ANOVA
test resulted in any significant difference. This means that there is not enough variation between
the attitudes of college students towards marijuana and class standing and gender in the data
collected.
Limitations
There are several limitations present in this study. The population sample is relatively
small with only 80 undergraduate students. This sample size is limited in the demographic
populations represented. Within the population sample, data was collected from 68 females and
only 18 males. This significantly uneven gender based population sample may have contributed
to the lack of significant difference present in the data. The data was also mainly passed out to
students from the college of Health and Human Services, which may have altered the results. The
small sample population was also not evenly distributed according to class standing, which may
also be a contributor to no statistically significant results. This study also possesses respondent
bias. Respondent bias is made up of any error in a study that stems from a participant’s inability
or unwillingness to answer truthfully and honestly to survey questions. Social desirability bias,
which is the natural desire for participants to provide socially acceptable answers in order to
avoid embarrassment, is the respondent bias that may be most evident in this study. Since there is
a social stigma related to marijuana use, those who take the survey may feel that their attitudes
towards marijuana should be negative because they may think that is more socially acceptable.
16. MARIJUANA & PERFORMANCE OF COLLEGE STUDENTS 16
Conclusion
The results of this study show that there is no statistically significant difference on the
beliefs of marijuana use and its effects between age, gender, major, and class standing. Most of
the students surveyed had the same opinions, attitudes, and beliefs towards marijuana’s potential
effects on the overall success of college performance, whether academic or social. The increase
of high school graduates using marijuana is a growing concern due to the negative cognitive
effects that it can have. This study hypothesized that those who reported Freshman or Sophomore
standing would have varied results from Juniors or Seniors due to differences in age and
therefore experience; however, the results reported no significant difference. Further study is
necessary to support these results. A larger population size would contribute to more accurate
results that could wield a significant difference between the independent variables. By knowing
the attitudes and beliefs of college students towards the functions of marijuana and its potential
effects, researchers can better understand the reason behind this increase of use.
17. MARIJUANA & PERFORMANCE OF COLLEGE STUDENTS 17
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