Drug Use, Mental Health, and Gender Identity Among Mexican University Students

Drug use, mental health, and gender identity are complex phenomena influenced by multiple social, psychological, and cultural factors. Previous research indicates that the university stage represents a period of vulnerability for mental health, especially among students whose gender identity differs from the traditional categories of man or woman. This study aimed to examine the association between gender identity, drug use, and symptoms of anxiety and depression among students at a public university in Mexico. A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted through a public invitation survey among undergraduate students enrolled in a public university in Mexico. Data were collected using the Drug Use Questionnaire for University Students administered through the LimeSurvey platform. Variables included sociodemographic characteristics, gender identity (man, woman, and other identity), drug use, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. The results indicate that students who identified with another gender identity showed a higher likelihood of using the substances analyzed compared with those who identified as women, particularly prescription drugs and marijuana. Additionally, they presented higher odds of reporting anxiety and depressive symptoms compared with those who identified as men. These findings highlight the need for targeted prevention and support strategies to improve mental health among students with diverse gender identities.