Marijuana Use and Academic Achievement Among Mexican American School-Age Students: Underlying Psychosocial and Behavioral Characteristics

ABSTRACT

While there is some research examining the relationship between academic achievement, substance use, and related psychosocial factors, few studies have used standardized achievement scores as measures of academic achievement. Further, few investigations have been conducted in which high academic achieving substance users have been examined. The primary objective of the present study was to identify characteristics related to marijuana use among high and low academic achieving Mexican American students. Marijuana use and standardized achievement scores were used as a classification criterion of academic status. Results are discussed in terms of psychological risk factors for both males and females, as well as for the use of marijuana among high and low academic achieving students.

KEYWORDS:

• Marijuana Use
• Mexican Americans
• Academic Achievement
• Gender Differences
• Adolescents