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Substance Use Trajectories among Urban College Students: Associations with Symptoms of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression before and during COVID-19

Authors :
Laura Brandt
Nishanthi J. Anthonipillai
Teresa López-Castro
Robert Melara
Adriana Espinosa
Source :
Journal of American College Health. 2024 72(6):1717-1726.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

This study explored substance use trajectories and associations with mental health among an ethnically/racially diverse college student sample before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We combined repeated cross-sections and panel data from a total of 3,247 college students assessed with an online survey in 2018, 2019, and in three waves in 2020. We estimated trends in substance use and their relation to mental health over the survey waves using generalized estimating equations (GEE). Our results revealed notable associations between 30-day substance use patterns, time of assessment, and psychological well-being. These findings suggest a complex interplay between access to substances, context of substance use, and mental health. We discuss several initiatives that have been launched in response to the results of this ongoing study. Such initiatives may serve as examples for expanding similar efforts to other commuter colleges to prevent further increases in mental health problems and risky substance use.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0744-8481 and 1940-3208
Volume :
72
Issue :
6
Database :
ERIC
Journal :
Journal of American College Health
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
EJ1433446
Document Type :
Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2022.2089844