Perceptual Styles and Cannabis Consumption Prediction in Young People

Adolescents and youths' opinions about the factors associated with cannabis use: a qualitative study based on the I-Change model

BACKGROUND

To learn about the experiences and opinions of adolescent non-consumers and regular cannabis users about cannabis use and the factors that determine its use, using the I-Change explanatory model as a basis.

METHODS

Qualitative methodology with a content analysis was used. Focus groups were conducted with adolescents who were non-regular cannabis users (those who had not tried cannabis or had only experimented with it before) and semi-structured interviews were conducted with adolescent and young adult in recovery who were in a detoxification program. A deductive analysis of the audio-recorded and transcribed interviews was performed, using the domains of the I-Change Model as a reference.

RESULTS

Personal problems, social problems or family problems can lead to cannabis use. There was a lack of knowledge and low risk perception about consumption of this drug. There are other factors that influence consumption, the perception of advantages, such as the feeling of freedom and the influence of the peer group. The consumption of this substance in girls is changing, becoming more and more equal to that of boys. The family has an important role to play in preventing drug use.

CONCLUSION

Knowledge of these factors is of vital importance as a prior step to the development of efficient intervention measures adjusted to the needs identified and the characteristics of the population.

Effects of Risk Perception and Accessibility on Cannabis Use among Young Population in Spain: Findings from the 2016 National Survey (ESTUDES)

BackgroundCannabis use in the young population has undergone a significant increase in Europe. Empirical assessments of individual and contextual mediating variables in relation to cannabis use are informative for prevention actions and have yet to be conducted in Spain. Objectives: This study used the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use in Secondary Education in Spain (ESTUDES) to inform on potentially relevant cannabis prevention targets. We examined individual variables (sex, age, and cannabis risk perception), past 30-day legal and illicit substance use, substance-free activities, and contextual factors (perceived accessibility to cannabis) associated to past 30-day cannabis use. Methods: Data were drawn from 35,369 adolescents (% females: 50.1). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was implemented to identify predictors of cannabis use, and indirect paths were tested via bootstrapping to examine the mediating effects of cannabis risk perception and accessibility. Results: Demographics (male sex, higher age), and past 30-day tobacco, alcohol, and illicit substance use were associated with past 30-day cannabis use. Frequency of past-year engagement in hobbies and reading did also predict past 30-day cannabis use. The mediators worked on most of the relationships examined, except for hobbies and illegal substance use in the case of accessibility and reading and hobbies in the case of risk perception. Conclusions/importance: Cannabis use is more likely to emerge in the event of low risk perception and high accessibility. Lower frequency of past year reading and higher engagement in some hobbies that are often carried out alone represent risk factors, which could potentially influence prevention programs.

Students' Intention of Visiting Urban Green Spaces after the COVID-19 Lockdown in China

This study addresses students' perceptions of using urban green spaces (UGSs) after the easing of COVID-19 lockdown in China. We questioned whether they are still mindful of the risks from the outdoor gathering, or conversely, starting to learn the restoration benefits from the green spaces. Online self-reported surveys were distributed to the Chinese students aging from 14 to 30 who study in Hunan and Jiangsu Provinces, China. We finally obtained 608 complete and valid questionnaire forms from all participants. Their intentions of visiting UGSs were investigated based on the extended theory of planned behavior model. Structural equation modeling was employed to test the hypothesized psychological model. The results have shown good estimation performance on risk perception and perceived knowledge to explain the variances in their attitudes, social norms, and perceived behavior control. Among these three endogenous variables, the perceived behavior control owns the greatest and positive influence on the behavioral intention, inferring that controllability is crucial for students to make decisions of visiting green spaces in a post-pandemic context.

Neighborhood, Peer, and Parental Influences on Minor and Major Substance Use of Latino and Black Adolescents

Self-report survey data were collected from 797 adolescents (47.2% Latino, 52.8% Black) in North Carolina. Path analyses were conducted to examine relationships between youth perceptions of maternal and paternal monitoring, neighborhood crime/drugs, friends’ delinquency, peer victimization, minor substance use, and major substance use. After establishing a good fitting model, multigroup models were conducted for Blacks vs. Latinos. The results indicated perceived maternal monitoring (and paternal monitoring for Latinos) was directly related to decreased exposure to neighborhood crime/drugs and friends’ delinquency. For Latinos and Blacks, maternal and paternal monitoring were directly related to gateway substance use, and indirectly related to major substance use through gateway substance use. Additionally, friends’ delinquency and peer victimization were directly related to gateway and major substance use for Blacks and Latinos. Thus, exposure to neighborhood crime/drugs was indirectly related to substance use through friends’ delinquency and peer victimization.

Substance Use and Addictive Behavior in Spanish Adolescents in Secondary School

The detection and prevention of addictive behaviour at an early age is essential given the relationship between the age of the onset of consumption and the appearance of addiction disorders. The aim of this study was to describe the behavior related to substance use and addictive behaviors in adolescents at secondary school from 12 to 16 years of age. A cross-sectional descriptive study has been conducted. The prevalence of consumption of different addictive substances (alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, cocaine) and addictive behaviours (use of social networks and video games) were collated, and the influence of the surrounding social environment and risk perception were evaluated. The final sample was 1298 students. Alcohol, tobacco and cannabis use reflect the prevalence of last month’s consumption: 14% (11.8–15.6), 15% (13.4–17.4) and 3% (1.9–2.7) respectively. 76% of the sample frequently use the Internet (5–7 days per week). There is a positive association between the frequency of use and use in the immediate environment. The relationships found show the need for educational and preventive intervention aimed at parents and students that will allow them to know and effectively deal with possible problems associated with the consumption of addictive substances.