Title Attitudes towards drug use and psychoses among university students: cross-cultural comparisons
Translation of Title Attitudes Towards Drug Use and Psychoses Among University Students: Cross-Cultural Comparisons.
Authors Cornelius, Daro Ferdinand
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Pages 39
Keywords [eng] psychoactive substance, university student, psychosis, mental health, substance abuse, harm reduction, drug attitudes, cannabis
Abstract [eng] In emerging adulthood, a period characterized by exposure to psychoactive substances, is also the time when psychotic disorders tend to first appear. This dissertation aims to synthesize empirical evidence related to four key areas of study (a) drug usage patterns among university students; (b) psychological/cultural variables affecting students' attitudes toward psychoactive substance usage; (c) familiarity of university students with signs/symptoms of psychosis and the degree of stigma associated with it; and (d) the relationships between psychoactive substance use (specifically cannabis/stimulant use), and psychosis. Given the large amount of variability in social law, moral code, and stigmatizing systems around the globe, emphasis was placed on creating an international model for research. The primary substance of choice for illicit substance use among college students across Europe and the rest of the world was determined to be cannabis. However, both polydrug use and party-drug, inhalant and prescription misuse was recognized as substantial risks for various groups. Additionally, there was strong evidence supporting that heavy/frequent cannabis use had the greatest association with psychosis risk; especially dose-response associations. It appears that substance-induced psychosis represents a type of bridge-state for individuals who develop schizophrenia-spectrum disorders with a considerable likelihood of transitioning to these diagnoses. Overall, this dissertation supports the idea that universities/colleges should regard psychoactive substance use and psychosis prevention as a single health issue facing campuses using strategies that include harm-reduction, identification of early indicators of psychotic symptoms, and reducing stigma through culturally-competent approaches.
Dissertation Institution Vilniaus universitetas.
Type Master thesis
Language English
Publication date 2026