Stress as a Moderator of the Effects of Coping Motives on Alcohol and Marijuana Use in Young Adulthood

Abstract

Higher levels of coping motives are associated with higher frequency and quantity of alcohol and marijuana use, and higher levels of stress may exacerbate this association. In this study, we examined whether perceived level of stress moderated the association between coping motives and alcohol and marijuana use in a sample of young adult men. Data came from men who were interviewed at mean age 26 (N = 425) and again at mean age 29 (N = 400). Past year frequency and quantity of drinking and past year frequency of marijuana use were assessed as outcomes. Enhancement motives and race were controlled in the analyses. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that stronger alcohol coping motives were significantly related to greater frequency and quantity of alcohol use at ages 26 and 29 and stronger marijuana coping motives were significantly related to greater frequency of marijuana use at age 26 but not 29. Coping motives at age 26 were not predictive of alcohol or marijuana use at age 29. Enhancement motives attenuated the effects of coping motives concurrently and were significantly related to all substance-specific outcomes at the same wave. Crossover effects from alcohol coping motives to marijuana use and from marijuana coping motives to alcohol use were not significant at ages 26 or 29. Stress did not moderate the effects of coping on any outcome. Although coping motives were significant substance-specific predictors of alcohol and marijuana use in young adulthood, most of these associations were no longer significant once enhancement motives were controlled. Interventions to challenge both enhancement and coping motives are needed for young men throughout young adulthood. DOI: 10.26828/cannabis.2018.01.001