Mapping the pathways between recreational cannabis use and mood disorders: A Behaviour Sequence Analysis approach

Behavior Sequence Analysis of Victims' Accounts of Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) relates not only to physical forms of abuse, but also psychological, emotional, economic, and financial controlling behaviors. IPV is a dynamic, complex phenomenon that occurs over a relatively long period of time. While several measures of IPV exist, a method that can track the progression and escalation of such behaviors in relationships could offer more understanding and highlight key intervention points for individuals in such relationships. Behavior Sequence Analysis is used in the current research to map the chain and progression of behaviors in multiple real-world cases of IPV. Results indicate clear sequential clusters of behaviors such as physical and psychological abuse, and coercive controlling behaviors such as gaslighting, restricting movement, and removing freedoms. Overall, this research stands as a foundation framework to build a greater understanding of the processes and pathways of IPV, and offers workers in the field a novel method to assist with interviewing and intervening in such cases.

The Association between Recent Cannabis Use and Suicidal Ideation in Adults: A Population-based Analysis of the NHANES from 2005 to 2018

OBJECTIVE

With the increasing prevalence of cannabis use, there is a growing concern about its association with depression and suicidality. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between recent cannabis use and suicidal ideation using a nationally representative data set.

METHODS

A cross-sectional analysis of adults was undertaken using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2005 to 2018. Participants were dichotomized by whether or not they had used cannabis in the past 30 days. The primary outcome was suicidal ideation, and secondary outcomes were depression and having recently seen a mental health professional. Multiple logistic regression was used to adjust for potential confounders, and survey sample weights were considered in the model.

RESULTS

Compared to those with no recent use (n = 18,599), recent users (n = 3,127) were more likely to have experienced suicidal ideation in the past 2 weeks (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.54, 95% CI, 1.19 to 2.00, P = 0.001), be depressed (aOR 1.53, 95% CI, 1.29 to 1.82, P < 0.001), and to have seen a mental health professional in the past 12 months (aOR 1.28, 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.59, P = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

Cannabis use in the past 30 days was associated with suicidal thinking and depression in adults. This relationship is likely multifactorial but highlights the need for specific guidelines and policies for the prescription of medical cannabis for psychiatric therapy. Future research should continue to characterize the health effects of cannabis use in the general population.

Cannabis use and the risk of anxiety and depression in women: A comparison of three Swedish cohorts

BACKGROUND

The associations between cannabis use and anxiety or depression remain unclear. If cannabis affects these conditions, it is of interest to examine possible changes in cannabis use over time, in relation to anxiety and depression, as cannabis potency has increased in recent decades.

METHODS

Cohorts from the Women and Alcohol in Gothenburg study (n = 1 100), from three time periods were used to examine associations over time between cannabis use and anxiety and depression. Logistic regression analyses were used and relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) was calculated to examine potential additive interactions between period of cannabis use, cannabis use, and anxiety or depression.

FINDINGS

Cannabis use was associated with anxiety in the oldest cohort (examined 1986-1992, born 1955/65), OR = 5.14 (1.67-15.80, 95 % CI), and with both anxiety and depression in the youngest cohort (examined 2000-2015, born 1980/93), OR = 1.66 (1.00-2.74, 95 % CI) and 2.37 (1.45-3.86, 95 % CI), respectively. RERI was significant between cannabis use and depression in the youngest cohort when compared with older cohorts (1.68 (0.45-2.92, 95 % CI)).

LIMITATIONS

Cross-sectional data prevent statements on causality, though between-cohort comparisons are possible.

CONCLUSION

The association between cannabis use and depression becomes more pronounced when adding the effect of period of use rather than looking at the effect of cannabis use itself. This study provides clinicians and public health workers with scientifically underpinned knowledge regarding the link between cannabis use and depression, of particular importance given increasing cannabis potency.