Secondhand Effects of Substance Use for Rural College Students

Abstract

This pilot study addresses a gap in the research with rural college students by examining substance use secondhand effects for students at a rural northeastern college. Students (N = 157) participated in a web-based survey on their substance use behaviors and their experiences of secondhand effects during the school year. Many students reported experiencing secondhand effects including, 66.9% having cared for an intoxicated student, 52.2% having sleep or study interruption, 33.1% being insulted or humiliated, and 22.9% experiencing an unwanted sexual advance. Compared to men, a greater proportion of women reported experiencing the secondhand effects of: caring for intoxicated others (women 76.7% vs. men 54.9%; χ² = 8.3, df = 1, p = .004), having a serious argument (women 37.2% vs. men 15.5%; χ² = 9.2, df = 1, p = .002), and having sleep or study interrupted (women 59.3% vs. men 43.7%; χ² = 3.8, df = 1, p = .05).

Keywords:

• Secondhand effects
• rural
• college students
• substance use
• gender effects

Notes

^aPercentage within gender.

^bPercentage within place of residence.

*Significant p ≤ .05.

^aPercentage within gender.

^bPercentage within place of residence.

*Significant p ≤ .05.