Dispositional Mindfulness Profiles and Cannabis Use in Young Adults

Abstract

The relationships between dispositional mindfulness and cannabis use remain understudied. The aim of the present study was to link cannabis use and problematic use with different profiles based on dispositional mindfulness facets. A sample of 1572 college students completed self-report questionnaires assessing dispositional mindfulness, cannabis use, and internalizing/externalizing symptoms. A cluster analysis based on the facets of dispositional mindfulness (observing, non-judgment, non-reactivity, acting with awareness, and describing) yielded three clusters: a High-Traits cluster (HT), a Non-Judgmentally Aware cluster (NJA), and a Judgmentally Observing cluster (JO). The NJA cluster had a significantly lower frequency of cannabis use and a lower problematic use than the two other clusters. JO and HT clusters, which both have the highest scores of observing, had also the highest levels of cannabis use and problematic use. These results may reflect the enhancement of sensations due to cannabis use. Methodological issues regarding the evaluation of observing facet are discussed.