Normative Misperceptions and Marijuana Use Among Male and Female College Athletes

Abstract

This research assessed the frequency of marijuana use and perceptions of gender-specific marijuana use among intercollegiate athletes from two National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 universities. Normative data were gathered in a live setting. Male athletes reported significantly greater marijuana use than female athletes and the overall sample reported higher prevalence of use than national averages for college athletes and non-athletes. Gender-specific perceptions among male and female athletes exceeded actual self-reported use, and perceived marijuana use among male athletes was strongly associated with personal use. The findings demonstrate the salience of group-specific marijuana norms and present implications for normative feedback interventions among college athletes.

This research was funded by a grant from the Alcoholic Beverage Medical Research Foundation and grant U18 AA015451-01 from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Notes

* p < .001.