Co-Occurring Stress and Substance Abuse in College First Offenders

Abstract

Abstract Little research has been conducted on the co-occurrence of stress symptoms and substance abuse in young people. The current study of 315 college students adjudicated the first time for violating university drinking rules reveals significant relationships between moderate stress symptoms, problem drinking, recent increases in alcohol consumption level and the frequency of marijuana use. As expected, the relationship between stress and substance abuse is mediated by gender showing a disproportionate risk of co-occurring stress symptoms and substance abuse in women. Theoretical implications as well as suggestions for assessment, intervention and programming are noted.