Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Exploring Psychological Distress and Impulsivity as Predictors of Problematic Alcohol or Drug Use among Undergraduate College Students

Maccombs, Stephanie R.
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2422-6325
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1583833091025408

Abstract Details

2020, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, Counselor Education (Education).
The misuse of alcohol and other drugs has a significant negative impact worldwide, in the United States, and particularly among vulnerable young adults. Undergraduate college students face additional risks for alcohol or drug use due to the significant transitions occurring in their personal, social, and environmental lives. The consequences of alcohol or drug use to the college student population and relevant stakeholders are well documented. To prevent and mitigate the negative consequences of college students’ alcohol or drug use, it is essential to understand factors that predict those behaviors. More specifically, it imperative to understand factors that predict alcohol or drug use that results in negative consequences, or problematic use. Psychological distress and impulsivity have been identified as predictors of other high-risk behaviors among college students, but their predictability of problematic alcohol or drug use among the undergraduate college student is not yet fully understood. Gaps in the literature regarding the psychological distress, impulsivity, and substance-using behaviors among this population include a lack of focus on drugs other than alcohol, a lack of differentiation between problematic and non-problematic use, and significant variability in the definitions and operationalization of alcohol and drug use related variables. The primary purpose of the present study with 481 participants was to investigate whether psychological distress (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress) and impulsivity among undergraduate college students between the ages of 18 and 25 could predict problematic alcohol or drug use. A secondary aim of this study was to determine whether there was a relationship between problematic alcohol use and problematic drug use. Findings indicated that impulsivity was predictive of problematic alcohol use, and depression and impulsivity were predictive of problematic drug use. Neither anxiety nor stress were predictive of problematic alcohol or drug use among this sample. Findings also indicated a statistically significant small to moderate association between problematic alcohol use and problematic drug use. The findings of this study, interpreted through the lens of developmental theory, have several implications for college and community mental and behavioral health counselors, counselor supervisors, counselor educators, higher education institution, current and prospective college students, and people in the support networks of undergraduate college students. These implications, as well as limitations to the study and suggestions for future research are presented.
Christine Bhat (Committee Chair)
Gordon Brooks (Committee Member)
Tamarine Foreman (Committee Member)
Yegan Pillay (Committee Member)
281 p.
Behaviorial Sciences; Counseling Education; Higher Education
psychological distress; depression; anxiety; stress; impulsivity; problematic alcohol use; problematic drug use; college students; college counseling; counselor education; higher education

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Maccombs, S. R. (2020). Exploring Psychological Distress and Impulsivity as Predictors of Problematic Alcohol or Drug Use among Undergraduate College Students [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1583833091025408

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Maccombs, Stephanie. Exploring Psychological Distress and Impulsivity as Predictors of Problematic Alcohol or Drug Use among Undergraduate College Students. 2020. Ohio University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1583833091025408.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Maccombs, Stephanie. "Exploring Psychological Distress and Impulsivity as Predictors of Problematic Alcohol or Drug Use among Undergraduate College Students." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1583833091025408

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1583833091025408
662
© 2020, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.