Michael Windle1, Regine Haardörfer1, Steven A Lloyd2, Bruce Foster3, Carla J Berg1. 1. a Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education , Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia , USA. 2. b Department of Psychological Science , University of North Georgia , Dahlonega , Georgia , USA. 3. c Campus Life, Central Georgia Technical College , Warner Robins , Georgia , USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated associations between the use of alternative tobacco products (e.g., cigarettes, little cigars/cigarillos, hookah, e-cigarettes), alcohol, and marijuana among college students and use by their parents, siblings, and friends. A large literature exists for social influences on adolescent substance use, but few studies have focused on college samples. PARTICIPANTS: 3,418 college students from seven universities in the state of Georgia participated in this study. METHODS: Web-based surveys were completed by students (45-60 minutes) during the fall semester, 2014. RESULTS: Findings largely indicated specificity of associations between college student use and use by social influences for similar tobacco products and other substances. For each tobacco product or substance, the highest associations were for friends' use. Structural equation analyses further supported the specificity of associations and highlighted the relative strength of friends' use on student use. CONCLUSION: Similar to findings with adolescents, the use of alternative tobacco products, alcohol, and marijuana by parents, siblings, and friends is associated with higher levels of use among college students, and friends' use was the most potent correlate for this phase of the lifespan.
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated associations between the use of alternative tobacco products (e.g., cigarettes, little cigars/cigarillos, hookah, e-cigarettes), alcohol, and marijuana among college students and use by their parents, siblings, and friends. A large literature exists for social influences on adolescent substance use, but few studies have focused on college samples. PARTICIPANTS: 3,418 college students from seven universities in the state of Georgia participated in this study. METHODS: Web-based surveys were completed by students (45-60 minutes) during the fall semester, 2014. RESULTS: Findings largely indicated specificity of associations between college student use and use by social influences for similar tobacco products and other substances. For each tobacco product or substance, the highest associations were for friends' use. Structural equation analyses further supported the specificity of associations and highlighted the relative strength of friends' use on student use. CONCLUSION: Similar to findings with adolescents, the use of alternative tobacco products, alcohol, and marijuana by parents, siblings, and friends is associated with higher levels of use among college students, and friends' use was the most potent correlate for this phase of the lifespan.
Entities:
Keywords:
College students; friend influence; parental influence; sibling influence; substance use
Authors: Carla J Berg; Regine Haardörfer; Michael Lewis; Betelihem Getachew; Steven A Lloyd; Sarah Fretti Thomas; Angela Lanier; Kelleigh Trepanier; Teresa Johnston; Linda Grimsley; Bruce Foster; Stephanie Benson; Alicia Smith; Dana Boyd Barr; Michael Windle Journal: Am J Health Behav Date: 2016-05
Authors: Tamika D Gilreath; Adam Leventhal; Jessica L Barrington-Trimis; Jennifer B Unger; Tess Boley Cruz; Kiros Berhane; Jimi Huh; Robert Urman; Kejia Wang; Steve Howland; Mary Ann Pentz; Chih Ping Chou; Rob McConnell Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2015-11-17 Impact factor: 5.012
Authors: Terrell A Hicks; Daniel Bustamante; Kaitlin E Bountress; Amy E Adkins; Dace S Svikis; Nathan A Gillespie; Danielle M Dick; Ananda B Amstadter Journal: J Am Coll Health Date: 2021-09-29