Personality or pathology? Predictors of early substance use in first-year college students

Abstract

Research suggests that students entering their first year of college may be at significant risk for developing substance use problems by relying on substances to regulate their emotions. Objective The aim of the current study was to examine the dual role of personality and psychopathology in predicting substance use among first-year students. Participants 103 first-semester undergraduate students were recruited via the university subject pool. Methods Participants completed personality questionnaires, structured clinical interviews, followed by the completion of diary entries each week reporting on substance use throughout their first semester. Results Results indicated that a past diagnosis of an affective (mood/anxiety/stress) disorder was the most significant predictor of substance use. Personality and current psychopathology had no association to substance use. Conclusion This finding is consistent with developmental models of substance use relating to emotion-related disease and suggests that greater nuance is needed in understanding substance use risk in college students.