Perceived Norms and Marijuana Use at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Differences in internalizing symptoms between those with and without Cannabis Use Disorder among HBCU undergraduate students

OBJECTIVE

To determine the differences in internalizing symptoms between those who met criteria for Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) and those who did not in young adults attending a Historically Black College or University (HBCU).

PARTICIPANTS

The sample included 619 undergraduate students, with 110 (18%) who met criteria for CUD.

METHODS

Participants completed an online survey, which included demographic, anxious and depressive symptomatology, and substance use assessment.

RESULTS

Those who met CUD criteria reported more depressive symptoms (M = 22.83 ± 10.74) and anxiety symptoms (M = 45.70 ± 12.82) than their non-CUD counterparts (M = 19.17 ± 10.58; M = 40.57 ± 14.11, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Differences between those who met criteria for CUD and those who did not are consistent with previous literature and may aid in characterizing internalizing behaviors in HBCU students with CUD. Future research should examine the subgroups that may cycle through withdrawal symptoms, despite not having severe CUD. This subgroup may be at higher risk for psychopathology than their severe counterparts.

The Need for Marijuana Perceived Risk Interventions Targeting College Students at a Historically Black College and University

The purpose of this pilot study was to test a peer-led Hip-Hop Development Model (HHD) prevention intervention designed to increase the perceived risk from drug use for undergraduate college students attending a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). The HHD model was used to develop prevention messaging to increase the perceived risk from drug use. This study examined the following outcomes of peer-group-based development of public service announcements grounded in HHD: (1) feasibility, (2) acceptability, and (3) potential for immediate posttest and 1-year impact on perceived risk from marijuana use. Findings indicated that the college students were able to produce public service announcements over the course of a semester that could be broadcast to other students on campus. At the 1-year follow-up, perceived risk from marijuana use was significantly higher than at baseline. Perceived risk from marijuana use at baseline was low with 36% of participants who responded moderate or great risk which increased to 63% at immediate and 50% at 1-year posttest. This small pilot study provides insights into what is needed to implement and evaluate youth-targeted marijuana prevention messaging, in a context of rapid increase in the liberalization of adult marijuana use across the United States.