College Student Transition Study

The College Student Transition Study is a longitudinal examination of 600 freshman students during the transition to college. The transition to college marks a time with significant increases in tobacco and alcohol use, illicit drug use, as well as risky sexual behaviors, and is also a time where psychological and social functioning are changing quickly. Students were assessed before arriving to campus in August 2016 and four additional times throughout their first year. Detailed questions about their psychological, behavioral, social and physical health were assessed at each measurement occasion.

The long-term goal of the project is to understand the psychological and social factors that predict substance use during the transition to college. By identifying factors that increase the risk of poor behavioral choices, we can develop and implement prevention strategies for at-risk populations. The majority of students attending West Virginia University are from the greater Appalachia area, which is a unique population of individuals for which unique prevention efforts need to be developed. Findings from this study can be used as a model for other schools and areas in the region.

A secondary aim of this project is to build an infrastructure that connects various WVU departments, programs and community partners to understand and address the needs of the WVU student population. This interdisciplinary team is needed to implement changes that will improve the psychological, behaviors, social and academic lives of emerging adults in this state.