A University of Northern Colorado study will examine how marijuana use among college students relates to their academic motivation and performance.
The three-year, $402,249 study — funded by the National Institutes of Health — will involve the testing of 150 college students who use marijuana.
UNC faculty researchers Kristina Phillips, Michael Phillips and Trent Lalonde seek to better understand the factors related to heavy marijuana use such as craving, depression and anxiety, and academic motivation performance and persistence.
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“One substance-related factor that gets little attention is craving,” the researchers noted in their research summary. “It is possible that greater marijuana craving could lead to more frequent marijuana use, thus impacting not only the cognitive focus of students but also their motivation for academic work.”
Researchers will also collect data through text messaging. Students involved in the project will be asked to respond to questions via text message in real-time. Assessments will also include a follow-up review of participants’ academic records.
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907, mwhaley@denverpost.com or @montewhaley
