ERIC Number: EJ994175
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0744-8481
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Tobacco, Marijuana, and Alcohol Use in University Students: A Cluster Analysis
Primack, Brian A.; Kim, Kevin H.; Shensa, Ariel; Sidani, Jaime E.; Barnett, Tracey E.; Switzer, Galen E.
Journal of American College Health, v60 n5 p374-386 2012
Objective: Segmentation of populations may facilitate development of targeted substance abuse prevention programs. The authors aimed to partition a national sample of university students according to profiles based on substance use. Participants: The authors used 2008-2009 data from the National College Health Assessment from the American College Health Association. The sample consisted of 111,245 individuals from 158 institutions. Methods: The sample was partitioned using cluster analysis according to current substance use behaviors. The association of cluster membership with individual and institutional characteristics was examined. Results: Cluster analysis yielded 6 distinct clusters. Three individual factors--gender, year in school, and fraternity/sorority membership--were the most strongly associated with cluster membership. Conclusions: In a large sample of university students, the authors were able to identify 6 distinct patterns of substance abuse. It may be valuable to target specific populations of college-aged substance users based on individual factors. However, comprehensive intervention will require a multifaceted approach. (Contains 5 tables.)
Descriptors: Prevention, Substance Abuse, Drinking, Multivariate Analysis, Institutional Characteristics, Sororities, Smoking, Marijuana, College Students, Profiles, Correlation, Individual Characteristics, Fraternities, Group Membership, Gender Differences, Intervention
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
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