Stress, Coping, Substance Use and Related Consequences in Young Adult College Students.

Young adult college students have high rates of both substance use and perceived stress. This study examined the relationships between stress, approach and avoidance coping, alcohol use, marijuana use, club drug use, and substance-related consequences. 200 young adult (18–25 years old) undergraduate students (49% women, 57% first-year students, 39% White) were recruited through flyers and in-person tabling at a campus recreational facility to complete this retrospective survey study. Participants completed self-report measures for stress, coping style, substance use, and negative consequences. Path analysis found approach coping was inversely related to alcohol use (β = -0.28, p =.012). Avoidance coping was positively related to marijuana use (β = 0.47, p =.004) and consequences (β = 0.45, p <.001). Avoidance coping mediated the relationships between stress and marijuana use (β = 0.12, p =.010), and between stress and substance use consequences (β = 0.21, p <.001). Interventions and future research aimed at improving students' ability to use approach coping to manage stressors while engaging in fewer avoidant coping strategies may assist in preventing negative substance use consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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