Drug Use in College Students: A Test of Sociodemographic and Reference Group Models of Explanation

Abstract

The importance of reference group variables in the understanding of drug use in college students was examined. Other studies investigated the role of peer orientation, and this study further elaborates on the issue by specifically looking into parents and peers as refernece groups for the students. The importance of reference group variables in understanding the students'' use of marihuana and/or hashish was supported. Sociodemographic variables cannot predict drug use behavior as well as the reference group variables can.