2015 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo

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Recorded Annual Meeting Presentations (RAMP) are now available for purchase.
Only $90 for presenters, $140 for registered attendees and $200 for non-attendees.

Online Program

329901
Examining the relationships between marijuana use, mental health, and grades in rural college students


Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Chandra Jennings, PhD, MSE, CHES, Student Life Office and Department of Health and Physical Education, Luther College, Decorah, IA
Alireza Geshnizjani, PhD, MPH, MS, Community Health Education and Recreation, University of Maine, Farmington, ME
Background: The negative effects of marijuana use are becoming more apparent and the prevalence is increasing among college students. This is especially concerning in rural areas where socio-environmental factors may influence consumption and prevention. Research has shown a complex relationship between anxiety and marijuana use, as well as negative effects on students’ grades. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationships between marijuana use and below average health due to stress, anxiety, and/or depression, as well as the relationship between marijuana use and grades among rural college students.

Methods: Data was analyzed from approximately 35% of the undergraduate student body population who took part in a comprehensive campus health needs assessment at a small rural New England college.  Cross tabs were conducted to evaluate whether students (n = 641) experiencing below average health due to stress, anxiety, and/or depression were more likely to use marijuana, and whether students (n = 618) reporting A, B, or C grades on average were more likely to use marijuana.

Results: Below average health due to the psychological variables and marijuana use were significantly related, Pearson χ2(4, N = 641) = 13.13, p = .011, Cramér’s V = .14.  Grades were also significant related to marijuana use, Pearson χ2(2, N = 618) = 18.75, p < .001, Cramér’s V = .17.

Implications: Effective health promotion should consider the relationships between factors that promote or inhibit wellness on campus.  Colleges should design interventions to educate students about the relationship between substance abuse, anxiety, and grades.

Learning Areas:

Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning
Public health or related education
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Evaluate the relationship between marijuana use and grades Evaluate the relationship between marijuana use and below average health due to stress, anxiety, and/or depression Describe implications for effective health promotion and academic success for rural students considering anxiety and marijuana

Keyword(s): Drug Abuse, Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been teaching health promotion and education in higher education for half a decade, have a PhD in health education, and maintain a CHES certification. I conduct epidemiological research on health behaviors and reduction of health disparities in emerging adults and other populations, and have been promoting community health through involvement with local, state, and federally organized and funded programs for a decade. My service involves running health education programming on campuses.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4175.0: Marijuana use by youth and young adults