Assessment of simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use and its related consequences and cognitions in college students: Anarrative review.

Abstract

As rates of students using cannabis continue to rise, simultaneoususe of alcohol and cannabis (such that their effects overlap; commonly referred to as simultaneous alcohol and marijuana [SAM] use)is prevalent among college students who use both substances.Although research focusing on SAM use and related cognitions and consequences continues to grow,there are nocommon established measures,as approaches varyacross studies.This narrative reviewidentifiescurrent methods for assessingSAM use and measures of SAM-related consequences and cognitions (motives and expectancies) among college students, evaluateshow they were developed, identifiesgaps in the literature, and providesrecommendations for future directions of assessment. We conclude that the assessment of SAM use is limited by difficulties in the assessment of cannabis quantity and potency. However, and the lack of a psychometrically validated measure of SAM consequences. However, measures of SAM motives and expectancies have been published with support from psychometric examinations such as exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and measurement invariance. Research is needed that incorporates qualitative approaches in the development of SAM use measures so that unique items specific to SAM use rather than single-substance use can be identified. Additionally, validation of these measures is needed across different samples that varydemographically, such asby race and gender or sex. Future research should consider the development of ameasure of protective behavioral strategiesspecific to SAM use to inform interventionsthat target thereduction of negative consequences of SAM use.