Abstract
ABSTRACT Objective: to explore the perception of harms and benefits of marijuana use and adolescents’ intention to use within the context of regulatory changes. Method: a multi-centric quantitative cross-sectional survey. The survey incorporated two public co-educational secondary schools from which a total of 268 (133 males; 135 females) adolescents from age 15 to 17 were studied. Convenience sample was used to obtain the participants from forms 3 through 5 and administer consent forms and questionnaires. Results: From the sample studied most adolescents reported that they do not use marijuana. The study found an association between adolescents’ perception of harms and benefits of marijuana and marijuana use. It also highlighted that most adolescents stated that marijuana should be used for medical and/recreational purposes. Conclusion: further research is needed incorporating a larger sample of schools to establish conclusive statements however these findings suggest that school demand reduction strategies should seek to be as comprehensive and tailored as possible when addressing adolescents.
Highlights
Adolescence is marked with considerable transitions and changes in both physiological and mental domains
This study investigated the perception of harm and benefits related to marijuana use among adolescents and how regulatory changes may affect the intention of marijuana use
The purpose of this research is to explore the perception of harms and benefits of marijuana use and adolescents’ intention to use within the context of regulatory changes
Summary
Adolescence is marked with considerable transitions and changes in both physiological and mental domains. Representing approximately 20% of the population in most countries, adolescents play important economic, educational and social roles in the future of their societies.[1] This stage of life contributes to the development of personal identity, acquisition of skills and learning to differentiate between positive and negative behaviors. Adolescents are more prone to risk-taking behavior, which is not necessarily an undesirable characteristic as the ability to take risk is needed to increase autonomy and decision-making.[2]. Studies show that sensation seeking, which peaks in adolescence, is associated with participation in a range of risky activities by adolescents, including using psychoactive substances.[2] One particular study[3] found that risk-taking behaviors increase in the presence of peers – with two possible explanations being that adolescents generally spend more time in groups and neural circuitry related to reward processing increases when they are among peers thereby making an experience more pleasurable
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