Evaluations and Expectancies of Alcohol and Marijuana Problems Among College Students

Raluca M. Gaher, Jeffrey S. Simons

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

68 Scopus citations

Abstract

Two studies examined the associations between evaluations (good-bad) and expected likelihood (likely-unlikely) of alcohol- and marijuana-related problems and hazardous consumption and problems among college students. Participants provided data on alcohol use, alcohol-related problems, and expectancies and evaluations of alcohol problems; marijuana use indices, marijuana-related problems, marijuana effect expectancies, and likelihood and evaluations of marijuana problems. Evaluations of alcohol problems were positively related to the number of binge drinking occasions and alcohol-related problems. The interaction between evaluations and expectancies was significant in predicting the number of binge drinking occasions. Expectancies demonstrated a curvilinear relationship with binge drinking and alcohol-related problems. Marijuana users evaluated marijuana-related problems as less negative and less likely to occur than did nonusers. Expectancies, but not evaluations, of negative consequences were significantly associated with marijuana use intensity. Expectancies of problems demonstrated a curvilinear relationship with marijuana-use intensity and marijuana problems. Men evaluated alcohol and marijuana problems less negatively than did women. In summary, the expected likelihood of alcohol-marijuana problems and the evaluation of such problems represent a vulnerability factor associated with increased liability for hazardous alcohol and marijuana use.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)545-554
Number of pages10
JournalPsychology of Addictive Behaviors
Volume21
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • alcohol-related problems
  • evaluations
  • expectancies
  • marijuana problems
  • marijuana use

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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