Risk Factors For Marijuana Use Research Articles

Risk factors for marijuana use in adolescents from Lima

Risk factors for marijuana use in adolescents from Lima

Assessing the prevalence and risk factors of marijuana use in adults with disabilities

BackgroundPublic support for the legalization of marijuana (cannabis) for medical or recreational use by adults has grown rapidly over the past two decades. Given the growing prevalence and concerns about potential harms, a better understanding is needed of disparities in marijuana use among adults by disability status. MethodsUsing 2015–2019 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), we obtained a national sample of 195,130 working-age (18–64 year) adults. Descriptive and multivariable analyses were conducted to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with marijuana use among adults by disability status and type. ResultsWe found the prevalence of marijuana use was higher among adults with disabilities (16.6% vs 10.9%) compared to those without disabilities, and this disparity widened from 2015 to 2019. Furthermore, the odds of marijuana use varied by disability type. Specifically, adults with vision disability only (OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.14–1.44), cognitive disability only (OR 1.24; 95% CI 1.13–1.35), and those with multiple disabilities (OR 1.22; 95% CI 1.11–1.34) had higher odds of marijuana use compared to adults without any disability. ConclusionsAdults with disabilities have a higher prevalence of marijuana use compared to those without disabilities. Living in a state with legalized medical marijuana also increased the odds of marijuana use. These findings can help to inform policy and public health surveillance of marijuana use in the U.S. Further studies are needed to monitor the rising prevalence of marijuana use and examine how intensity of marijuana use affects health outcomes in adults with and without disabilities.

Using machine learning to determine the shared and unique risk factors for marijuana use among child-welfare versus community adolescents.

This study used machine learning (ML) to test an empirically derived set of risk factors for marijuana use. Models were built separately for child welfare (CW) and non-CW adolescents in order to compare the variables selected as important features/risk factors. Data were from a Time 4 (Mage = 18.22) of longitudinal study of the effects of maltreatment on adolescent development (n = 350; CW = 222; non-CW = 128; 56%male). Marijuana use in the past 12 months (none versus any) was obtained from a single item self-report. Risk factors entered into the model included mental health, parent/family social support, peer risk behavior, self-reported risk behavior, self-esteem, and self-reported adversities (e.g., abuse, neglect, witnessing family violence or community violence). The ML approaches indicated 80% accuracy in predicting marijuana use in the CW group and 85% accuracy in the non-CW group. In addition, the top features differed for the CW and non-CW groups with peer marijuana use emerging as the most important risk factor for CW youth, whereas externalizing behavior was the most important for the non-CW group. The most important common risk factor between group was gender, with males having higher risk. This is the first study to examine the shared and unique risk factors for marijuana use for CW and non-CW youth using a machine learning approach. The results support our assertion that there may be similar risk factors for both groups, but there are also risks unique to each population. Therefore, risk factors derived from normative populations may not have the same importance when used for CW youth. These differences should be considered in clinical practice when assessing risk for substance use among adolescents.

Marijuana use among US adults with cancer: findings from the 2018-2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of current marijuana use and to identify the factors associated with its use among US adults with cancer living in 17 US states and territories. Data from the2018-2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Marijuana Use module were analyzed. The analytic sample included 13,174 adults with cancer. The primary outcome was current marijuana use. Weighted, multivariable logistic regression was used to identify sociodemographic, health, and healthcare factors associated with marijuana use. Overall, 9.2% of adult cancer survivors (n = 13,174; weighted 5.7 million) reported marijuana current use, 51.3% of whom used it for medical reasons only, with 65.2% reporting smoking as the main method of administration. Adult cancer survivors were significantly more likely to use marijuana if they were younger (odds ratio [OR] for 55-64years old, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.38-0.93, vs. 18-44); male (OR for female, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.48-0.87, vs. male); non-Hispanic black (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.21-3.33; P < 0.01, vs. non-Hispanic white); living with depression (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.17-2.14); and current (OR, 3.23; 95% CI, 2.20-4.74) or former tobacco smoker (OR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.70-3.38, vs. never smoker) and binge drinker (OR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.53-3.29, vs. non-binge drinker). Among a large cohort of US adults with cancer, marijuana use was commonly reported, and certain subgroups were at increased likelihood of marijuana use. Health professionals should identify the risk factors for marijuana use, especially as more states legalize medical and recreational marijuana use.

The externalizing and internalizing pathways to marijuana use initiation: Examining the synergistic effects of impulsiveness and sensation seeking.

Adolescent marijuana use has become increasingly more problematic compared with the past; thus, understanding developmental processes that increase the liability of marijuana use is essential. Two developmental pathways to adolescent substance use have been proposed: an externalizing pathway that emphasizes the expression of aggressive and delinquent behavior, and an internalizing pathway that emphasizes the role of depressive symptoms and negative affect. In this study, we aimed to examine the synergistic role of impulsiveness and sensation seeking in the two risk pathways to determine whether both high and low levels of the traits are risk factors for marijuana use. Our study included 343 adolescents (52% were girls, 78% identified as Hispanic) that oversampled high-risk youth (78% had a family history of substance use disorder), assessed biannually between the ages of 13-16 years old. Moderated mediation analyses revealed that high levels of sensation seeking indirectly predicted marijuana use through higher mean levels of externalizing behavior. The positive relationship between sensation seeking and externalizing behavior was only significant at high levels of impulsiveness. Conversely, low levels of sensation seeking indirectly predicted marijuana use through higher mean levels of internalizing behavior. The negative relationship between sensation seeking and internalizing behavior was only significant at low levels of impulsiveness. Collectively, these results demonstrate that high and low levels of both impulsiveness and sensation seeking confer increased risk of marijuana use, albeit through different mechanisms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Unmet Need in Relation to Mental Healthcare and Past-Month Drug Use among People with Mental Illness in the United States

ABSTRACT Individuals with mental illness are at risk of developing co-occurring substance use disorders (SUDs). We assessed whether unmet need for mental health treatment in the past year was a risk factor for past-month use of marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and misuse of prescription opioids in this population. Data from adults diagnosed with mental illness who were not diagnosed with SUD were examined from the 2015–2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (N = 33,104). An estimated 20.8% (95% CI: 20.1–21.5) of adults in the US with mental illness have experienced unmet need in the past year. Those reporting marijuana use (29.7% vs. 19.5%, p < .001) and/or prescription opioid misuse (35.7% vs. 20.5%, p < .001) were more likely to report unmet need than those not reporting use. In multivariable models, unmet need remained a risk factor for marijuana use (aOR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.24–1.54) and prescription opioid misuse (aOR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.29–2.13). Unmet need was not a risk factor for cocaine or methamphetamine use. Cost as a barrier to treatment was a risk factor for marijuana use (aOR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.19–1.58) and prescription opioid misuse (aOR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.43–2.64). Policies aimed at improving mental healthcare access may be effective in reducing substance use in this population.

Marijuana use and suicidal behaviours among school-going adolescents in Africa: assessments of prevalence and risk factors from the Global School-Based Student Health Survey

BackgroundMarijuana use among adolescents, including high school students, has been consistently reported to be associated with a high incidence of suicidal behaviours. Little empirical research has been conducted on the...

Association Between Glutathione Levels in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex and Distress Intolerance in Marijuana-Using Adolescents

Marijuana (MJ) use, mental, and physiological stressors increase oxidative stress in the brain. Additionally, psychological symptoms including distress intolerance are risk factors for MJ use. Glutathione (GSH), the most abundant antioxidant in the brain, protects against oxidative stress. However, the relationship between MJ use, brain GSH levels and distress intolerance remains unknown. Therefore, in this study, we examined levels of GSH in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and its relationship with distress intolerance in adolescent MJ users and healthy controls.

Role of sex on the relationship between sexual minority status and past 30-day marijuana use among high school students (YRBS, 2015–2019)

BackgroundSexual minority status (SMS) is a known risk factor for marijuana use among youth in the United States (US). Limited research has examined the differing relationship between SMS and marijuana use across males and females. This study examined the modifying effect of sex on the relationship between sexual minority status (SMS) and past 30-day marijuana use among youth. MethodsData were pooled from the 2015, 2017, and 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance survey. Participants were 9th through 12th grade students in the US (n = 37,870). An interaction model (SMS*sex) and models stratified by sex tested effect modification. Covariates included race/ethnicity, grade, tobacco use, illicit drug use, and survey year. ResultsThe association between SMS and past 30-day marijuana use differed statistically by sex assigned at birth. Among females, SMS was associated with 1.33 greater odds of past 30-day marijuana use. Conversely, among males, SMS was associated with 0.70 lower odds of past 30-day marijuana. Interaction model was statistically significant. ConclusionSMS is associated with greater odds of being a past 30-day marijuana user among females but lower odds among males. Prevention and education programs aimed at youth should consider these factors during development and implementation. Longitudinal research is needed to further examine the nuances of the relationship observed in this analysis.

Three Dimensions of Sleep, Somatic Symptoms, and Marijuana Use in U.S. High School Students

PurposeThis study aimed to investigate potential bidirectional relations between key sleep characteristics and somatic symptoms with past 30-day marijuana use in high school students. MethodsParticipants from the NEXT Generation Health Study (n = 2,770) reported on 10th and 11th grade (W1 and W2) sleep characteristics and somatic symptoms and 12th grade (W3) past 30-day marijuana. Multivariate logistic regressions and path analyses were conducted. ResultsSleep duration was not associated with marijuana use. However, later W1 chronotype, greater W1 social jetlag, W1 trouble falling asleep, W1 trouble staying asleep, and W1 somatic symptoms were associated with increased odds of W3 past 30-day marijuana use. Path models indicated direct associations between W1 chronotype and W3 past 30-day marijuana use, and W1 social jetlag and W3 past 30-day marijuana use. ConclusionsLater sleep timing was longitudinally associated with past 30-day marijuana use. Improved understanding of sleep health, specifically chronotype and social jetlag as risk factors for marijuana use is warranted, which may inform additional screening targets and interventions that address these associated domains.

Marijuana knowledge, confidence in knowledge, and information efficacy as the protective and risk factors of marijuana use among college students

Objective This study explored the relationships between marijuana knowledge, confidence in knowledge, and information efficacy and marijuana use. Furthermore, the effects of the knowledge-related variables were examined on intention to use, resistance efficacy, and intention to vote for legalization. Participants: Undergraduate students (N = 215) were surveyed in Fall 2018. Methods: Data were collected online and analyzed through a series of regression analyses. Results: Higher knowledge was related to less use via higher perceived risk whereas higher confidence in knowledge was related to more use. Marijuana use was related to higher future intention to use, lower resistance self-efficacy, and intention to vote for legalization. Information efficacy was related to intention to vote for legalization only. Conclusions: Students with more knowledge were less likely to use marijuana, whereas students who considered themselves well-informed were more likely to use it. Future intervention efforts will benefit from counteracting students’ misplaced confidence in their knowledge.

Positive expectancies mediate the association between sensation seeking and marijuana outcomes in at-risk young adults: A test of the acquired preparedness model.

The acquired preparedness model (APM) integrates personality trait research and psychosocial learning, which are theorized to ultimately increase risk for problematic substance use outcomes. The present study uses the APM to examine the potential mediational role of positive and negative expectancies on the relationship between impulsivity and two marijuana outcomes (ie, frequency of use and marijuana use disorder [MUD] symptom count) among an at-risk sample of young adults with history of antisocial behavior and substance use in adolescence and their siblings (n = 312). Results suggest a significant indirect effect of sensation seeking on recent marijuana use through positive marijuana expectancies. There also was a significant indirect effect of sensation seeking on past-year MUD symptoms through positive expectancies. No significant indirect effects through negative expectancies were found for either outcome. Our findings are consistent with the APM and suggest that higher sensation seeking is related to increased positive beliefs about marijuana outcomes, which is related to higher marijuana use and more MUD symptoms. These findings suggest that positive expectancies are an important risk factor for marijuana use and misuse, particularly for at-risk individuals with elevated rates of sensation seeking. Positive marijuana expectancies may be important to address in interventions for at-risk individuals. (Am J Addict 2018;XX:1-6).

Sex and age differences in risk factors of marijuana involvement during adolescence.

We aimed to examine whether there are sex and age differences in psychosocial risk factors of marijuana use during adolescence. Data were drawn from 57,767 adolescents (8th and 10th graders) from the 2012-2013 Monitoring the Future study. We examined the association between socio-demographic and behavioral correlates with different frequencies of past-year marijuana use (non-use, occasional use: <10 time, frequent use: 10-39 times, and regular use: 40+ times). We further investigated whether these associations were similar for boys and girls of different ages. Overall, 20.6% of the adolescents reported past-year marijuana use: 12.1% occasional use, 4.3% frequent use, and 3.8% regular use. Girls were less likely to be frequent and regular marijuana users (frequent use: OR=0.83 [0.75, 0.93]; regular use: OR=0.41 [0.36, 0.48]) while no sex difference was noted for occasional use. Also, the odds of deviant behaviors were higher as the frequencies of marijuana use were higher. Compared to younger girls, older boys and girls had higher association between all levels of marijuana use and low self-esteem, low perceived harm, peer influence and perceived easy access. Besides, younger boys were more likely than younger girls to report an association between regular marijuana use with low self-esteem, peer influence, and perceived easy access but not with perceived low harm. Findings suggest the relationship between these psychosocial correlates and frequency of marijuana involvement varies across sex and age groups. These variations ask for a nuanced approach to prevention of marijuana involvement in different groups of youth.

Depression and Marijuana Use among a Sample of Urban Females: Is Stage of Development Important?

ABSTRACTBackground: Increasing rates of marijuana use and high rates of depression among females are major public health concerns and ambiguous study results suggest a complex association between the two. Inconsistent findings may be due to differences in sample characteristics (e.g., females vs. males) and result from differences in the relationship over time (i.e., across developmental stages). Objectives: Presently, the extent to which the relationship between depression and marijuana use differed for females in emerging adulthood, compared to young adult females, was examined. Methods: Two hundred forty females (mean age = 23.9 ± 3.4 years) from low-income urban neighborhoods completed a semi-structured HIV-risk interview, Beck's Depression Inventory II, and provided a urine sample that was tested for the presence of psychoactive drugs. Results: Approximately 35% tested positive for marijuana and 21% were experiencing depression. Results from unadjusted logistic regression analyses indicated a relationship between depression and marijuana use (OR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.08–3.93). African Americans had higher odds of testing positive for marijuana, compared to Whites (OR = 4.6; 95% CI = 2.52–8.68). In the full model, the relationship between depression and marijuana use did not differ by developmental stage. Conclusions: Interventions aimed at reducing depression may prove beneficial for decreasing marijuana use among females between 18 and 29 years of age residing in disadvantaged communities. However, more research is needed to identify risk factors for marijuana use and to explicate the relationship between marijuana use and depression. Special consideration should be given to African American females.

Perceived friends' use as a risk factor for marijuana use across young adulthood.

Perceived social norms of substance use are commonly identified as a risk factor for use. How the strength of association between perceived friends' use and substance use may change across development has not yet been documented. The current analysis considers how the associations between perceived friends' marijuana use and participants' own use of any marijuana in the past year changes from ages 18 to 30 using longitudinal data from the United States national Monitoring the Future study from 1976 to 2014 (N = 30,794 people). Time-varying effect modeling (TVEM) was used to examine the associations between perceived friends' use of marijuana and participants' own annual marijuana use by age, as well as the extent to which these time-varying associations were moderated by sex, race/ethnicity, and parental education. Associations between perceived friends' use and own marijuana use increased with age. In addition, the association between perceived friends' use and own marijuana use significantly varied by demographic groups, such that it was significantly greater for men from ages 19 to 24 and from ages 27 to 30, compared with women; for Whites, compared with other race/ethnicities, across all ages; and for individuals whose parents attended college, compared with those whose parents had a high school education or less, across all ages. Results suggest that perceived friends' marijuana use becomes an even more important marker for increased marijuana use as people age through young adulthood. Therefore, the role of peers in substance use remains crucial beyond adolescence and should be incorporated into intervention strategies for young adults. (PsycINFO Database Record

Prevalence and correlates of cannabis use among athletes-A systematic review.

Despite scientific evidence that marijuana impairs performance and mental health, there is evidence that some athletes are at higher risk for use. This review aims to identify possible risk factors associated with marijuana use in athletes. A search was conducted in the PubMed database with the keywords: (marijuana OR cannabis OR tetrahydrocannabinol OR delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol OR THC) AND (sports OR sport OR athlete OR athletes). We retrieved 186 studies. After applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 15 studies remained for review. The review revealed a number of potential risk factors for marijuana use among adult athletes, including being male, Caucasian, using sport performance-enhancing drugs, using marijuana to enhance recreation or non-sport performance, and practicing specific types of sports including skeleton, bobsleding, and ice hockey. Contrary to use patterns in the general population, among athletes marijuana appears to take the place of tobacco as the second most widely used drug, after alcohol. Many elite athletes denied the use of marijuana, which suggests that toxicological testing is an important tool for identifying users, because it is more accurate than self-report. Geography appears important, as in areas of high consumption, prevalence among athletes appears to be greater as well. Contrary to the image that athletes do not use psychoactive drugs, this review suggests that a number of athletic subgroups are at increased risk for marijuana use. Surprisingly, a common rationale for use appears to be to enhance sports performance. As in the general population, experimentation starts early-in pre-adolescence-at an age that prevention and guidance programs could have positive influences. (Am J Addict 2016;25:518-528).

Maternal marijuana use and neonatal morbidity

Marijuana use is becoming increasingly common in the obstetric population; however, it is unknown whether it is associated with poor neonatal outcomes. We sought to determine the prevalence and risk factors for marijuana use in pregnancy and to evaluate whether marijuana use is independently associated with poor neonatal outcomes. This was a retrospective cohort study of all consecutive, nonanomalous, term deliveries at 1 institution over a 4-year study period. Women with marijuana use during pregnancy, either by self-report or positive urine drug screen, were compared with women who did not use marijuana. The primary outcome was a composite neonatal morbidity including birthweight less than 2500 g, neonatal intensive care unit admission, 5-minute Apgar score less than 7, and umbilical artery pH less than 7.10. Univariate, bivariate, and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. Among the 8138 women in the cohort, 680 (8.4%) used marijuana during pregnancy. Women who used marijuana were younger; more likely to be of African American race; have inadequate prenatal care; and use tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. Medical comorbidities did not differ between groups. After adjusting for smoking, other drug use, and African American race, the composite and all individual markers of poor neonatal outcome were not significantly higher among women who used marijuana during pregnancy. Marijuana use is common in pregnancy but may not be an independent risk factor for poor neonatal outcomes in term pregnancies.

387: Are poor neonatal outcomes associated with marijuana use in term pregnancies?

While marijuana use has previously been associated with preterm birth, the potential effects on term infants remains unknown. We sought to determine the prevalence and risk factors for marijuana use in pregnancy, and to evaluate whether marijuana use is independently associated with markers of poor neonatal outcomes in term pregnancies.

Befriending Risky Peers: Factors Driving Adolescents' Selection of Friends with Similar Marijuana Use.

Adolescents often befriend peers who are similar to themselves on a range of demographic, behavioral, and social characteristics, including substance use. Similarities in lifetime history of marijuana use have even been found to predict adolescent friendships, and we examine whether this finding is explained by youth's selection of friends who are similar on a range of more proximate, observable characteristics that are risk factors for marijuana use. Using two waves of individual and social network data from two high schools that participated in Add Health (N = 1,612; 52.7% male), we apply longitudinal models for social networks to test whether or not several observable risky attributes (psychological, behavioral, and social) predict adolescent friendship choices, and if these preferences explain friend's similarities on lifetime marijuana use. Findings show that similarities on several risk factors predict friendship choices, however controlling for this, the preference to befriend peers with a similar history of marijuana use largely persists. The results highlight the range of social selection processes that lead to similarities in marijuana use among friends and larger peer groups, and that also give rise to friendship groups whose members share similar risk factors for substance use. Friends with high "collective risk" are likely to be important targets for preventing the onset and social diffusion of substance use in adolescents.

Neighborhood environment and marijuana use in urban young adults.

Risk factors for marijuana use in older adolescents and young adults have focused primarily on family environment and peer affiliation. A growing body of work has examined the relationship between environmental context and young adult substance use. This study builds on previous research linking neighborhood environment to young adult marijuana use by exploring two distinct features of neighborhoods, namely the physical (e.g., broken windows) and social environment (e.g., adults watching youth). Data were obtained from a longitudinal sample of 398 predominately African American young adults living in an urban environment. The data also included observational measures of physical and social order and disorder collected on the young adult's residential block. Exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) was utilized to test hypothesized relationships between these two features of the neighborhood environment and past year young adult marijuana use. A two-factor model of neighborhood environment with good fit indices was selected (CFI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.037). There was a positive and significant direct effect from neighborhood physical disorder to marijuana use (0.219, p < 0.05) controlling for gender, race, and free and reduced price meal (FARPM) status. The direct effect from neighborhood social environment to marijuana use was not significant. These results converge with previous research linking vacant housing with young adult marijuana use but do not provide empirical support for the neighborhood social environment as a determinant of drug taking. Better explication of the social environment is needed to understand its relationship to drug use.