Program
Education Doctorate
Number of Pages
128
Year Approved
2025
First Advisor
Dr. Katrina Wu, Ph.D., APRN, CNM
Second Reader
Dr. Joel Frederickson, Ph.D.
Third Reader
Dr. Mary Michener, Ed.D.
Abstract
Substance use and mental health challenges are prevalent among college students, raising concerns about their impact on academic success. Using secondary data from the 2022–2023 Healthy Minds Study (N = 76,406), this study examined associations between depression, anxiety, alcohol use, marijuana use, and academic outcomes in undergraduate students. Multiple zero-inflated Poisson regressions were used to assess the relationships between depression, anxiety, alcohol use, and marijuana use. Ordinary least squares and ordered logit regressions evaluated links with academic success. Sample numbers varied across analyses (n = 23,629 to n = 47,355). Findings revealed modest but consistent associations between mental health, substance use, and academic outcomes. Depression was significantly linked to both alcohol and marijuana use, while anxiety also predicted alcohol use. Anxiety slightly reduced the effect of depression on alcohol consumption. Depression and frequent marijuana use were associated with lower self-reported grades, while anxiety correlated with slightly higher grade categories. Across all analyses, depression emerged as the most consistent factor influencing both substance use and academic success, despite small effect sizes. These results underscore the importance of integrated campus interventions that address both mental health and substance use. Programs should include screening, early identification, and culturally competent, stigma-free support services, especially for vulnerable student populations. Future research should use longitudinal designs and explore factors such as coping mechanisms and social support to inform intervention strategies.
Degree Name
Education Doctorate
Document Type
Doctoral dissertation
Recommended Citation
Eischens, B. I. (2025). Uncovering the Links: Drug Use, Mental Health, and Undergraduate Student Academic Success Using Data from the 2022–2023 Healthy Minds Study [Doctoral dissertation, Bethel University]. Spark Repository. https://spark.bethel.edu/etd/1171
Terms of Use and License Information
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