Peer Influence and Cannabis Use in Young University Students in Southern Mexico

Source:

Moisés Noh-Moo, P., Paulina Navarro-Oliva, E. I., Magdalena Alonso-Castillo, M., Selene López-García, K., Angélica Armendáriz-García, N., & Lizeth Villarreal-Mata, J. (2025). Peer Influence and Cannabis Use in Young University Students in Southern Mexico. Revista Internacional de Investigación en Adicciones, 11(1).

Abstract

Introduction: cannabis use constitutes a public health problem due to its multifactorial nature. In the university environment, peer influence emerges as a key factor that can encourage risky behaviors, such as cannabis use among young people.

Objective: to analyze the relation and the effect of peer influence on cannabis use.

Method: predictive correlational study with 772 university students from southern Mexico, aged between 18 and 29 years. Data were collected using two self-administered instruments (the Peer Pressure Inventory [PPI] and the Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test [CUDIT]), scheduled on the digital platform SurveyMonkey.

Results: a total of 31.6% of young people reported having used cannabis at some point in their lives, of which 16.3% had harmful use and 8.7% had dependent use. A positive and significant relation between peer influence and cannabis use (rs = .188, p < .05) was found. The results of the linear regression model indicated that peer pressure predicts 5.8% of the variance in cannabis use (R2= .058, p < .05).

Discussion and conclusions: peer influence plays a significant role in cannabis use among college students. It would be relevant to implement educational programs and strategies to strengthen autonomous decision-making to reduce susceptibility to group dynamics that promote risky behaviors.

Key words: marijuana use, peer influence, young adult, students.