Date of Graduation

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Psychological Science

Advisor/Mentor

Byron L. Zamboanga, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Bill Levine, Ph.D.

Second Committee Member

Timothy Evans, Ph.D.

Third Committee Member

Spencer Allen, Ph.D.

Abstract

College students can experience a range of cultural and social pressures that could relate to their alcohol and cannabis use. Latino/a international students may face unique challenges as they adjust to campus environments in the United States (U.S.), yet little research has compared their substance use patterns to those of Latino/a domestic students. Therefore, the present study aims to examine whether: (a) Latino/a international and domestic students differ in their alcohol use, (b)they differ in their cannabis use, and (c) acculturative stress moderates the relationship between international student status and these substance use behaviors. Latino/a undergraduates (n=440; Mage=20.55; female=71%; international=21%) completed survey measures assessing acculturative stress, alcohol consumption, and past‑month cannabis use. Results indicated no significant differences between international and domestic students in (a) their likelihood of engaging in alcohol or cannabis use or (b) level of alcohol or cannabis use among those reporting consumption. Acculturative stress was not associated with alcohol or cannabis use, nor did it moderate the associations between student status and substance use. The present findings suggest that among Latino/a students, international or domestic status does not appear to be linked to substance use patterns and acculturative stress do not seem to affect this association, indicating that both groups may be similarly at risk for alcohol and cannabis use.

Keywords

Acculturative Stress, International students, Substance Use, Alcohol, Cannabis, Latino/a

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