Life Stressors and Sleep Problems as Predictors of the Likelihood of Lifetime Cannabis Use among Black Adults with Criminal Justice Contact

Cannabis use and sleep disturbances among White, Black, and Latino adults in the United States: A cross-sectional study of National Comorbidity Survey-Replication (2001-2003) data

OBJECTIVE

Research investigating cannabis use and sleep health is limited, and results are mixed. Few studies were nationally representative with racially-ethnically diverse samples or assessed potential modifiers. Our objective was to investigate cross-sectional associations between reported cannabis use and sleep disturbances by potential modifiers among non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic/Latino men and women in the United States.

METHODS

We used nationally representative National Comorbidity Survey-Replication data collected from 2001 to 2003 among 3929 adults. Poisson regression with robust variance estimated prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals of patterns of sleep disturbances identified through latent class analysis. Models adjusted for sociodemographic, health behavior, and clinical characteristics were stratified by race-ethnicity and by race-ethnicity along with sex/gender, and age, separately.

RESULTS

Over half of adults reported cannabis use (52%-ever/lifetime vs 48%-never). We identified two latent classes: multiple sleep disturbances with daytime sleepiness and no sleep disturbances with some daytime sleepiness. Prevalence of multiple sleep disturbances with daytime sleepiness was higher among participants reporting lifetime cannabis use (23% vs 20%). Associations did not vary by race-ethnicity or sex/gender. Lifetime vs never cannabis use was marginally associated with a higher prevalence of multiple sleep disturbances with daytime sleepiness only among adults aged 25-29years (PR=1.09 [95% confidence interval: 1.00-1.18]; eg, PRage 40+ years=1.00 [0.97-1.03], pinteraction=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Associations between cannabis use and sleep may vary by age. Replication with more recent data and prospective studies that investigate intersectional identities among diverse populations with objective assessments are warranted.

"I feel like marijuana is the only drug that wouldn't kill me": perceptions of cannabis use in previously incarcerated Black men who have sex with other men

BACKGROUND

Fragmented state laws have impacted cannabis uptake and perceptions in the USA. Little research has explored the attitudes, beliefs, and social network influences of young Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) who have experienced incarceration and use cannabis. While problematic cannabis use is not well defined and understudied, scholars have found that a person's social network can mediate problematic substance use and reduce recidivism rates by providing both tangible and emotional support. This analysis examines how social networks contribute to cannabis perceptions and use among BMSM with criminal legal system involvement in Chicago, IL, and Houston TX.

METHODS

Researchers conducted interviews with 25 cis gender Black men informed by life course theory, with a focus on the role of social networks, incarceration, and other life experiences in substance use. All interviews were audio-recorded, de-identified, and transcribed; participants were compensated $50. A deductive-inductive thematic analysis was used to analyze all qualitative data collected.

RESULTS

Twelve BMSM in Chicago and 13 BMSM in Houston (M = 26.6 years old, SD = 3.7) were interviewed. A majority identified as gay (56%), with 12 participants (48%) reporting having a high school diploma or equivalent; their average age of first substance use was 15.2 (SD = 2.9). Participants perceived cannabis usage to be categorically distinct from other intoxicating substance usage, with many describing it as not harmful and potentially beneficial. Three themes shaped their choices and attitudes regarding cannabis and "hard" drugs-social networks, need fulfillment, and knowledge of risk.

CONCLUSION

Participant descriptions of cannabis use emphasize their drug-use behavior as being produced by agent decision-making and risk assessment. Future work should expand on how these decisions are made, and how social networks can be leveraged to encourage non-harmful drug consumption behaviors.

Sexual minority status, religiosity, and suicidal behaviors among college students in the United States

BACKGROUND

Religiosity has been protective against suicidal behaviors, though it is unclear whether the protective effects extend to the high-risk group of sexual minorities.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the Healthy Minds Study, which was administered to college students enrolled in one of 140 campuses across the United States (N = 104,463) from September through December 2020, and from January to June 2021. We limited the sample to emerging adulthood (i.e., ages 18-30). We calculated the prevalence of suicidal behaviors and the mean of importance of religion, stratifying by sexual minority status. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine the associations between predictors (sexual minority status, importance of religion) and outcomes (suicidal ideation, suicide plan, and suicide attempt), adjusting for age, gender, and race/ethnicity. We then tested to see whether the association between importance of religion and suicidal behaviors was conditional on sexual minority status.

RESULTS

Significantly larger proportions of sexual minority students reported suicidal behaviors than heterosexual students. A larger proportion of heterosexual students viewed religion to be very important in their lives when compared with sexual minority students. Being a sexual minority was associated with greater odds of all suicidal behaviors, and greater importance of religion was associated with lower odds. The importance of religion was significantly associated with lower odds of suicidal behaviors for heterosexual students when compared with sexual minority students.

CONCLUSION

The association between importance of religion and suicidal behaviors was conditional on sexual minority status.

Early Stage Investigators: Emerging Research Supporting Health Equity

Ethn Dis. 2021;31(2):165-166;doi:10.18865/ed.31.2.165