Abstract
Adolescents' gender-specific cannabis use rates and their correlates were examined. Data were obtained via a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2004 in British Columbia, Canada, funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. School districts were invited to participate, and schools within consenting districts were recruited. In total, 8,225 students (50% male) from Grades 7 to 12 participated. About 73% were “White,” and 47% had used cannabis in their lifetime. Cannabis users were grouped according to their frequency of use: “never users,” “frequent users,” or “heavy users.” Male heavy cannabis users (14.3% of boys) were more likely to be in Grade 9 or higher; be Aboriginal; report poorer economic status; never feel like an outsider; frequently use alcohol and tobacco; and have lower satisfaction with family, friends, and school compared with boys that never used. Female heavy users (8.7% of girls) were more likely to be in a higher grade; report poorer economic status, mental health, and academic performance; frequently use alcohol and tobacco; and have lower satisfaction with their school compared with female never users. Three important gender differences in the multivariate analysis of the correlates of cannabis use were noted: school grade (for boys only), Aboriginal status (for boys only), and mental health (for girls only). Despite the limitations of relying on self-reports, a subset of youth appears to be at risk for excessive cannabis use that may impair life opportunities and health. The gender differences may be important in the design and implementation of prevention or treatment programs for adolescents.
Highlights
IntroductionOther observed associations with cannabis use include being Aboriginal (Novins and Mitchell, 1998), being peer integrated (Grunbaum, Tortolero, Weller, and Gingiss, 2000), truancy (Kohn, Dramaix, Favresse, Kittel, and Piette, 2005), lower academic performance (Resnicow, Smith, Harrison, and Drucker, 1999; Windle and Wiesner, 2004), poor physical health (Tims et al, 2002), and poor mental health (Patton et al, 2002; Rey, Martin, and Krabman, 2004), including depression (Degenhardt, Hall, and Lynskey, 2003; Patton et al.)
The authors would like to thank Dr Rochelle Tucker for her project coordination
This study aimed (a) to determine the gender-specific cannabis use rates of a large sample of adolescents from the province of British Columbia (BC), Canada, and (b) to determine factors associated with cannabis use and how those factors differ by frequency of use and gender
Summary
Other observed associations with cannabis use include being Aboriginal (Novins and Mitchell, 1998), being peer integrated (Grunbaum, Tortolero, Weller, and Gingiss, 2000), truancy (Kohn, Dramaix, Favresse, Kittel, and Piette, 2005), lower academic performance (Resnicow, Smith, Harrison, and Drucker, 1999; Windle and Wiesner, 2004), poor physical health (Tims et al, 2002), and poor mental health (Patton et al, 2002; Rey, Martin, and Krabman, 2004), including depression (Degenhardt, Hall, and Lynskey, 2003; Patton et al.). Based on the literature and what was possible with the available data set, we explored six factors of interest: sociodemographics, health status (physical and mental), life satisfaction, peer integration, academic performance, and other substance use
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