2 - (SYM 34) Protective Factors for Buffering Against ADHD Symptoms in Predicting Academic Impairment, Alcohol Use, and Marijuana Use Across the Transition from High School to College

Introduction: The prevalence of academic and substance use problems peaks substantially during the transition from high school to college (Johnston et al., 2018). College students with ADHD are significantly more likely than their peers to be placed on academic probation and drop out (DuPaul et al., 2021). However, these increases are not universal, and there is substantial variation in rates of impairment during the first year of college (Zendarski et al., 2022). It is critical to identify individual and social factors that promote or protect against impairment during this transition. This longitudinal study investigated the impact of risk, promotive, and protective factors on academic impairment and substance use.

Method: Participants included 150 twelfth grade with plans to transition to college (Mage=18.25; 66.0% female, 65.3% White, 17.3% Black, 6.7% Asian, 4.0% Latinx; 10.7% taking medication for ADHD). Adolescents were assessed in the spring of 12^th grade (T1), fall (T2) and spring (T3) of the first year of college. A series of nested longitudinal cross-lagged models were conducted to examine the reciprocal and interactive associations between a) ADHD symptoms; b) substance use or academic impairment; and c) potential promotive/protective mechanisms including academic motivation and adaptive social functioning. Equality constraints tested the extent within-construct and cross-construct effects significantly differ over time.

Results: High school ADHD symptoms predicted residualized change in academic impairment, alcohol and marijuana use during the first semester of college (βs=.16-.23, ps< .05). Academic motivation predicted decreased alcohol use (βs= -.16 to -.19, ps < .05) and impairment (βs=.14-.20, ps < .05), and adaptive social perceptions predicted decreased alcohol and marijuana use (βs= -.15 to -.21, ps< .05). Adaptive social perceptions about each substance protected against ADHD symptoms (ADHD x friend disapproval) in predicting subsequent decreases in alcohol and marijuana use before and after the transition to college (βs= -.16 to -.21, ps< .05).

Conclusions: Adolescents with elevated ADHD symptoms who have high friend disapproval of substances may experience resilience with respect to substance use and academic outcomes. Academic motivation demonstrated promotive (direct) effects for reducing the risk for alcohol and academic problems. Future research will explore additional individual and social mechanisms that promote wellbeing and protect against ADHD symptoms in adolescence.