Ashley N Linden-Carmichael1,2, Kimberly A Mallett1, Nichole Sell2, Robert Turrisi1,2. 1. Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania. 2. Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Alcohol and marijuana co-users are at heightened vulnerability for experiencing a variety of negative alcohol use outcomes including heavier alcohol use and driving under the influence. The current study explored willingness to experience negative consequences as a potential factor underlying the association between co-user status and negative consequences in an effort to guide future intervention work. From a longitudinal study of first-year college students, we examined willingness to experience consequences at Time 2 as a mediator of co-user status at Time 1 and experience of negative consequences at Time 3. METHODS: First-year college student drinkers (n = 1,914) at a large university completed surveys in the fall and spring of their freshman year and the fall of their sophomore year. RESULTS: Alcohol and marijuana co-users reported higher willingness to experience consequences than alcohol-only users. Willingness to experience consequences partially explained the association between alcohol and marijuana couse and consequences. CONCLUSIONS: The current study was the first to compare co-users of alcohol and marijuana to alcohol-only users on willingness to experience consequences, and examine the role of willingness as a mediator between co-user status and consequences experienced. Co-users were more willing to experience adverse effects from drinking, in turn predicting more consequences. Intervention work targeting consequences may be less effective for co-users; thus, additional work is needed to identify other potential mechanisms for change for this at-risk group.
BACKGROUND:Alcohol and marijuana co-users are at heightened vulnerability for experiencing a variety of negative alcohol use outcomes including heavier alcohol use and driving under the influence. The current study explored willingness to experience negative consequences as a potential factor underlying the association between co-user status and negative consequences in an effort to guide future intervention work. From a longitudinal study of first-year college students, we examined willingness to experience consequences at Time 2 as a mediator of co-user status at Time 1 and experience of negative consequences at Time 3. METHODS: First-year college student drinkers (n = 1,914) at a large university completed surveys in the fall and spring of their freshman year and the fall of their sophomore year. RESULTS:Alcohol and marijuana co-users reported higher willingness to experience consequences than alcohol-only users. Willingness to experience consequences partially explained the association between alcohol and marijuana couse and consequences. CONCLUSIONS: The current study was the first to compare co-users of alcohol and marijuana to alcohol-only users on willingness to experience consequences, and examine the role of willingness as a mediator between co-user status and consequences experienced. Co-users were more willing to experience adverse effects from drinking, in turn predicting more consequences. Intervention work targeting consequences may be less effective for co-users; thus, additional work is needed to identify other potential mechanisms for change for this at-risk group.
Authors: Laura Delgado-Lobete; Rebeca Montes-Montes; Alba Vila-Paz; José-Manuel Cruz-Valiño; Berta Gándara-Gafo; Miguel-Ángel Talavera-Valverde; Sergio Santos-Del-Riego Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-04-27 Impact factor: 3.390