Young adults with higher motives and expectancies of regular cannabis use show poorer psychosocial functioning
Journal article
Amiet, Danielle, Youssef, George J., Hagg, Lauryn J., Lorenzetti, Valentina, Parkes, Linden, Solowij, Nadia and Yücel, Murat. (2020). Young adults with higher motives and expectancies of regular cannabis use show poorer psychosocial functioning. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 11, p. 599365. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.599365
Authors | Amiet, Danielle, Youssef, George J., Hagg, Lauryn J., Lorenzetti, Valentina, Parkes, Linden, Solowij, Nadia and Yücel, Murat |
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Abstract | Background: Young adults regularly using cannabis represent a uniquely vulnerable yet heterogeneous cohort. Few studies have examined user profiles using cannabis use motives and expectations. The association between user profiles and psychosocial functioning among only regular users remains unexplored. This exploration is important to improve public education efforts and design tailor treatment approaches. Methods: Regular cannabis users (at least weekly; n = 329) completed an online survey via Amazon Mechanical Turk. The survey measured levels of cannabis use, other substance use, motives and expectations of cannabis use, symptoms of psychosis, depression, anxiety and stress, and reckless behavior such as getting high before work or driving under the influence of cannabis. Latent class analysis was performed using motives and expectations to identify data driven patterns of regular cannabis use. Classes were then used to investigate mental health and behavioral correlates of differences in motives and expectations. Results: A 2-class solution provided the best fit to the data; Class 1: Low Motives and Expectancies (n = 158) characterized by lower endorsement across all motivation and expectation variables, and Class 2: High Motives and Expectancies (n = 171) characterized by endorsing multiple motivations, and higher positive and negative expectations of cannabis use. Classes differed in a range of cannabis use variables; e.g., greater proportion of peer use in Class 2. The High Motives and Expectancies users reported higher symptoms of psychosis (positive and negative symptoms), depression, anxiety, and stress. A higher proportion met the criteria for a cannabis use disorder compared with Low Motives and Expectancies users. High Motives and Expectancies users reported higher mean problems with nicotine dependence and illicit drug use other than cannabis and were more likely to get high before work and drive under the influence of cannabis. Conclusions: There is heterogeneity among young regular cannabis users in their motivations and expectancies of use and associated psychosocial functioning. Understanding motives and expectancies can help segregate which users are at higher risk of worse functioning. These findings are timely when designing targeted assessment and treatment strategies, particularly as cannabis is further decriminalized and accessibility increases. |
Keywords | cannabis; marijuana; latent class; regular users; psychosocial functioning; young adult; motives; expectancies |
Year | 2020 |
Journal | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
Journal citation | 11, p. 599365 |
Publisher | Frontiers Research Foundation |
ISSN | 1664-0640 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.599365 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85098490329 |
Open access | Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access |
Research or scholarly | Research |
Page range | 1-12 |
Funder | National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) |
Australian Research Council (ARC) | |
Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 15 Dec 2020 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 20 Nov 2020 |
Deposited | 24 Aug 2021 |
ARC Funded Research | This output has been funded, wholly or partially, under the Australian Research Council Act 2001 |
Grant ID | NHMRC/1117188 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8wq2y/young-adults-with-higher-motives-and-expectancies-of-regular-cannabis-use-show-poorer-psychosocial-functioning
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Publisher's version
OA_Amiet_2020_Young_Adults_With_Higher_Motives_and.pdf | |
License: CC BY 4.0 | |
File access level: Open |
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