CAST explores the intricate relationship between substance use behaviors and the influence of social and cultural factors. Our mission is to bridge the gap in research by conducting cross-cultural comparisons of substance use and misuse among college students.

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Over the years, CAST has brought together a team of international scientists who share a common vision: to uncover meaningful insights into substance use and its cultural dimensions. We've completed three distinct research projects and have an ongoing study that delves into etiological models predicting mental health and substance use.
 

1. Project CAS: In our first project, we examined the cross-cultural aspects of alcohol misuse among college students from Argentina, Spain, and the United States. We explored both distal factors, such as personality traits, and proximal factors, like drinking motives (Bravo et al., 2017).
    

2. Project CMS: Our second study focused on the cross-cultural examination of various antecedents to marijuana outcomes among college students from five countries: Spain, Argentina, Uruguay, Netherlands, and the United States (Bravo et al., 2019).
    

3. Project CABS: In our third study, we explored college students' co-use of various drugs, including alcohol, marijuana, and prescription drugs, and their outcomes in seven countries: Argentina, England, Canada, Uruguay, Spain, South Africa, and the United States (Bravo et al., 2021).
    

4. Project CLASS: Our latest endeavor, Project CLASS, is in its final stages with data collection ending in July 2023. This study aims to longitudinally replicate and extend research on etiological models of substance use and mental health among college students in six countries: Argentina, England, Spain, South Africa, Canada, and the United States.

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Featured podcast and media segments on CAST research below ↓