Bidirectional relations between different forms of prosocial behaviors and substance use among female college student athletes

ABSTRACT

Bidirectional, longitudinal relations between alcohol and marijuana use and prosocial behaviors in women college student athletes were examined. Participants were 187 female college students (M_age = 19.87 years; 91% White) who completed questionnaires on their use of marijuana and alcohol, and six forms of prosocial behaviors across 6 years (2004–2010). The findings yield overall evidence that earlier marijuana use predicted lower levels of most specific forms of prosocial behaviors for women athletes in later young adulthood. Early expressions of altruistic behaviors predicted less marijuana use in later young adulthood. Expression of public prosocial behaviors early in young adulthood predicted higher levels of hazardous drinking in late young adulthood. These novel findings have important implications for links between prosocial development and substance use in women college athletes.

KEYWORDS:

• Alcohol
• college students
• longitudinal
• prosocial behaviors

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alexandra N. Davis

Alexandra N. Davis is an Assistant Professor of Family and Child Studies at the University of New Mexico. Her research focuses on cultural and contextual stressors, parent-adolescent relationships, and adolescents’ moral development and prosocial behaviors.

Gustavo Carlo

Gustavo Carlo is the Millsap Professor of Diversity at the University of Missouri. His research focuses on prosocial and moral development among children and adolescents and positive health and adjustment of Latino youth and families.

Sam A. Hardy

Sam A. Hardy, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Brigham Young University. His research focuses on the ways in which morality, identity, and religiosity develop, interrelate, and function in the lives of adolescents and emerging adults.

Janine V. Olthuis

Janine V. Olthuis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of New Brunswick - Fredericton.

Byron L. Zamboanga

Byron L. Zamboanga is a Professor of Psychology at Smith College. His research focuses on the cognitive, social, and cultural correlates of risky drinking behaviors among adolescents and young adults.