1
|
Montgomery ZL, Michelini Y, Bravo AJ, Pilatti A, Mezquita L. Substance Use Motives as Mediators of the Associations between Self-Control Constructs and Negative Substance Use Consequences: A Cross-Cultural Examination. CANNABIS (ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) 2024; 7:77-92. [PMID: 38975594 PMCID: PMC11225986 DOI: 10.26828/cannabis/2024/000211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
The present study sought to examine three distinct research questions: a) are self-control constructs (i.e., negative/positive urgency, self-regulation, and emotion-regulation) indirectly related to negative alcohol/marijuana consequences via substance use motives, b) to what extent are these indirect effects consistent across differing drugs (i.e., alcohol and marijuana), and c) are these models invariant across gender and countries. Participants were 2,230 college students (mean age=20.28, SD=0.40; 71.1% females) across 7 countries (USA, Canada, Spain, England, Argentina, Uruguay, and South Africa) who consumed alcohol and marijuana in the last month. Two (one for alcohol and one for marijuana) fully saturated path models were conducted, such that indirect paths were examined for each self-control construct and substance use motive on negative consequences (e.g., negative urgency → coping motives → negative consequences) within the same model. Within the comprehensive alcohol model, we found that lower self-regulation and higher negative urgency/suppression were related to more alcohol consequences via higher coping and conformity motives. For marijuana, we found that lower self-regulation and higher negative urgency/suppression were related to more marijuana consequences via higher coping motives (not significant for conformity motives). Unique to marijuana, we did find support for higher expansion motives indirectly linking positive urgency to more negative consequences. These results were invariant across gender groups and only minor differences across countries emerged. Prevention and intervention programs of alcohol and marijuana around university campuses may benefit from targeting self-control related skills in addition to motives to drug use to prevent and reduce negative drug-related consequences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Yanina Michelini
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Psicología, Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas, IIPsi, CONICET, Córdoba, Argentina
| | | | - Angelina Pilatti
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Psicología, Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas, IIPsi, CONICET, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Laura Mezquita
- Department of Basic and Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, Castellón, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Research Network on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Castellón de la Plana, Castellón, Spain
| | - Cross-Cultural Addictions Study Team*
- Department of Psychological Sciences, William & Mary, USA
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Psicología, Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas, IIPsi, CONICET, Córdoba, Argentina
- Department of Basic and Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, Castellón, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Research Network on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Castellón de la Plana, Castellón, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Why Use Cannabis? Examining Motives for Cannabis Use in Individuals with Anxiety Disorders. BEHAVIOUR CHANGE 2022. [DOI: 10.1017/bec.2022.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
This study examined cannabis use motives in individuals with anxiety disorders and compared motives between infrequent and frequent cannabis users. It was hypothesised that coping motives would be endorsed at a significantly higher rate than other motives, and that frequent cannabis users would endorse coping motives significantly more than infrequent users. Participants were 144 adults seeking clinical services for anxiety disorders who reported using cannabis. Cannabis use was categorized by infrequent (n = 54) and frequent (n = 90) use. Anxiety symptoms were assessed and deemed clinically significant. Participants completed measures of cannabis use motives, cannabis use patterns, and cannabis use disorder symptoms, cross-sectionally. Cannabis use motives were examined for the entire sample and compared between frequent and infrequent users. In general, cannabis users endorsed coping (i.e., use for managing distress) and enhancement (i.e., use for fun, pleasant feeling, or the high) motives at equal rates (p = .265) and more than other motives (p < .001). Frequent users reported using cannabis for coping and expansion motives (i.e., use to change one's thinking) significantly more than infrequent users. These results indicate that individuals with anxiety disorders use cannabis for various reasons, some of which may not be directly related to their mental health symptoms. Future research is needed to compare motives for cannabis use in those with anxiety disorders, other mental health populations, and the general population, as well as examine motives for cannabis use within specific anxiety disorders.
Collapse
|
3
|
Short NA, Evans MK, Raudales AM, Shapiro M, Weiss NH, Schmidt NB. Anxiety sensitivity and cannabis use motives among trauma-exposed young adult cannabis users. Am J Addict 2022; 31:242-250. [PMID: 35365953 PMCID: PMC9117414 DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Anxiety sensitivity, or fear of anxious arousal, may be an important risk factor for problematic cannabis use. Specifically, anxiety sensitivity may motivate cannabis use to cope with distress, particularly among trauma-exposed individuals. The current study tested associations among anxiety sensitivity, its subdomains, and cannabis use motives in a sample of trauma-exposed cannabis users. We hypothesized elevated anxiety sensitivity, particularly cognitive concerns, would be associated with increased maladaptive coping use motives, after covarying for the number of traumas and cannabis use quantity. METHOD Hypotheses were tested in a cross-sectional study of trauma-exposed young adult cannabis users (N = 56) (Mage = 20.7 years, 59% women, 73% white). Participants completed self-report measures, and a clinical interview assessing cannabis use quantity. RESULTS Multiple regression analyses indicated that elevated anxiety sensitivity was associated with increased cannabis use coping motives, after covarying for the number of traumas experienced and cannabis use quantity. Specifically, higher levels of anxiety sensitivity cognitive and social concerns were associated with coping motives for cannabis use. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Anxiety sensitivity, particularly concerns about cognitive dyscontrol and negative social evaluations of anxious arousal, may motivate cannabis use to cope with stress among trauma-exposed cannabis users. Future research should include prospective studies with diverse samples to replicate results and determine whether intervening on anxiety sensitivity could reduce maladaptive coping motives for cannabis use. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE The current study replicates prior research indicating anxiety sensitivity, particularly cognitive concerns, is associated with maladaptive cannabis use. Expanding on prior research, findings indicated anxiety sensitivity is associated with coping motives for cannabis use among trauma-exposed cannabis users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole A. Short
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Mariah K. Evans
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Alexa M. Raudales
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island
| | - Mary Shapiro
- Southeastern Louisiana VA Health Care System, New Orleans, LA
| | - Nicole H. Weiss
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island
| | - Norman B. Schmidt
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cohen K, Rosenzweig S, Rosca P, Pinhasov A, Weizman A, Weinstein A. Personality Traits and Psychotic Proneness Among Chronic Synthetic Cannabinoid Users. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:355. [PMID: 32477173 PMCID: PMC7242629 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Chronic use of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) has been associated with a wide range of negative consequences for health including psychotic and affective disturbances. Accumulating evidence indicates that cannabinoids use may be a risk factor for schizophrenia, and chronic natural cannabis users score higher than non-users on measures of schizotypal personality traits. However, little is known regarding the personality characteristics of SC users, especially in comparison with recreational cannabis users and healthy individuals. This study aimed to examine the differences in personality characteristics and schizotypy between SC users, regular cannabis users, and non-users and to compare these measures between groups. METHODS Forty-two chronic SC users, 39 natural cannabis users, and 47 non-using control participants, without history of mental disorder, or current substance use diagnosis (mean age 26± 4.47 years; 23 females, 105 males), completed the Big-Five Factor Inventory (BFI), the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-Brief (SPQ-B), substance use history, rating scales of depression and anxiety, and a demographic questionnaire. RESULTS On the BFI, SC users scored higher than natural cannabis users and non-users on neuroticism, but lower on agreeableness and extraversion, and endorsed greater schizotypal symptoms on the SPQ-B. In addition, SC users had lower scores on conscientiousness than non-users, and natural cannabis users were more extroverted than non-users. Higher openness and lower conscientiousness predicted schizotypy for both SC and natural cannabis users. Finally, greater neuroticism predicted schizotypy for natural cannabis users, and introversion predicted schizotypy for non-users. CONCLUSIONS These results show that chronic SC users differ from natural cannabis users and non-users on dimensions of specific personality traits and schizotypy that may indicate psychotic proneness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Koby Cohen
- Department of Behavioral Science, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - Shiri Rosenzweig
- Department of Behavioral Science, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - Paola Rosca
- Ministry of Health (Israel), Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Albert Pinhasov
- Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | | | - Aviv Weinstein
- Department of Behavioral Science, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Glodosky NC, Cuttler C. Motives Matter: Cannabis use motives moderate the associations between stress and negative affect. Addict Behav 2020; 102:106188. [PMID: 31706141 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.106188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Young adults in the U.S. report high levels of stress which are known to contribute to depression and anxiety. Regular cannabis users frequently cite coping with stress as their primary motivation for use. However, research indicates that coping motives are associated with potentially negative outcomes, including cannabis-related problems and negative affect. Therefore, the theoretical rationale for the present study is that using cannabis to cope with stress may be maladaptive as it may exacerbate the same problems users are trying to ameliorate. That is, using cannabis to cope may potentiate links between stress and negative affect. We therefore sought to investigate whether cannabis use motives moderate the associations between stress and negative affect. A sample of 988 cannabis using college students completed an anonymous online survey containing measures of cannabis use, cannabis use motives, stress, depression, and anxiety. Correlation analyses revealed significant positive relationships between these variables. Moderation analyses indicated that coping motives was a significant moderator of the relationship between stress and depression, controlling for anxiety. In contrast, expansion and conformity motives were significant moderators of the relationship between stress and anxiety, controlling for depression. While cannabis may provide temporary relief from symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety, using cannabis to cope may be related to higher levels of depression, and use of cannabis for expansion and conformity may be related to higher levels of anxiety. These findings have practical implications and contribute to emerging evidence demonstrating that motives for cannabis use may predict differential mental health outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas C Glodosky
- Washington State University, Department of Psychology, P.O. Box 644820, Pullman, WA 99164-4820, USA.
| | - Carrie Cuttler
- Washington State University, Department of Psychology, P.O. Box 644820, Pullman, WA 99164-4820, USA; Translational Addiction Research Center, Washington State University, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Do marijuana use motives matter? Meta-analytic associations with marijuana use frequency and problems. Addict Behav 2019; 99:106102. [PMID: 31473571 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.106102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
As laws expanding the accessibility of marijuana proliferate, it is increasingly important to understand how various motivations for use are differentially associated with marijuana use (e.g., frequency, quantity) and problems associated with marijuana use (e.g., reduced productivity, relationship conflict, legal issues). We conducted a meta-analytic review (k = 48, N = 11,274) of the zero-order and partial association between five marijuana use motives (i.e., coping, enhancement, social, conformity, and expansion) and a range of marijuana use outcomes (e.g., use frequency, problematic use). For marijuana use frequency zero-order correlations, we found significant positive correlations for coping, enhancement, social, and expansion, but not conformity. For marijuana use problems zero-order correlations, we found significant positive correlations for all five motives. When adjusting for the other motives, only coping, enhancement, and expansion were significantly positively associated with marijuana use frequency, and conformity was significantly negatively related to marijuana use frequency. For marijuana use problems, only coping and conformity had significant positive correlations. These results show that marijuana use motives are an important part of understanding the frequency of marijuana use and the development of marijuana use problems. These results may have implications for intervention development and public policy.
Collapse
|
7
|
Chowdhury N, Kevorkian S, Hawn SE, Amstadter AB, Dick D, Kendler KS, Berenz EC. Associations Between Personality and Distress Tolerance Among Trauma-Exposed Young Adults. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2018; 120:166-170. [PMID: 29861519 PMCID: PMC5978428 DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2017.08.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Low distress tolerance (DT) is related to negative mental health outcomes, particularly among trauma-exposed populations, who are at greater risk for mental health problems. However, little is known about potential etiological factors underlying the development of perceived (i.e., self-report) or behaviorally assessed DT. The present study examined associations between Big Five personality factors (i.e., openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, & neuroticism) and multiple measures of DT. Participants were 440 college students (71.4% women) endorsing a history of one or more potentially traumatic events. Participants completed the abbreviated Big Five Inventory (BFI), Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS), Discomfort Intolerance Scale (DIS), breath-holding task, and Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT). Results of a series of hierarchical linear regressions indicated that higher levels of neuroticism and lower levels of conscientiousness were significantly associated with lower DTS scores, but no other DT measures. Greater extraversion was significantly associated with greater DT on the DIS and the PASAT. Lower levels of openness were associated with lower DT on the breath-holding task. Individual differences in normal personality traits account for significant variation in multiple measures of DT and may provide insight into the etiology of various forms of DT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Chowdhury
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, VA, USA
| | - Salpi Kevorkian
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Sage E. Hawn
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Ananda B. Amstadter
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, VA, USA
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Danielle Dick
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of African American Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | | | - Erin C. Berenz
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, VA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Otto MW, Eastman A, Lo S, Hearon BA, Bickel WK, Zvolensky M, Smits JAJ, Doan SN. Anxiety sensitivity and working memory capacity: Risk factors and targets for health behavior promotion. Clin Psychol Rev 2016; 49:67-78. [PMID: 27611632 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2016.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Revised: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the nature and influence of specific risk profiles is increasingly important for health behavior promotion. The purpose of this article is to document the value of two factors-anxiety sensitivity (AS) and working memory capacity (WMC)-for enhancing risk for the initiation and/or maintenance of a range of negative health behaviors. AS is a distress-related risk factor that potentiates avoidance/coping motivations for negative health behaviors. Stress provides the conditions for negative somatic and affective states, and AS amplifies the aversiveness of these experiences and correspondingly hinders adaptive functioning. In contrast, low WMC is hypothesized to exert its effect by decreasing the capacity to filter out current temptations, attenuating a focus on longer-term goals and impairing the application of relevant coping skills at times of stress. In this review, we provide conceptual models for the separate roles of high AS and low WMC in negative health behaviors, review the influence of these factors on specific health behavior exemplars (eating behaviors/obesity, physical activity, smoking, alcohol use, and sleep promotion), provide preliminary evidence for their value as independent treatment targets for health-behavior promotion, and encourage specific research directions in relation to these variables.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Otto
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, USA.
| | - Abraham Eastman
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, USA
| | - Stephen Lo
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, USA
| | | | - Warren K Bickel
- Addiction Recovery Research Center, Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, USA
| | - Michael Zvolensky
- University of Houston, USA; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA
| | - Jasper A J Smits
- Department of Psychology and Institute for Mental Health Research, The University of Texas at Austin, USA
| | - Stacey N Doan
- Department of Psychology, Claremont McKenna College, USA
| |
Collapse
|