Poster Session 05 Program Schedule
02/15/2024
02:30 pm - 03:45 pm
Room: Majestic Complex (Posters 61-120)
Poster Session 05: Neuropsychiatry | Addiction/Dependence | Stress/Coping | Emotional/Social Processes
Final Abstract #64
Examination of Motives for Cannabis Use and Risky Decision-Making on Cannabis Use-Related Problems Among Teens
Sarah Lehman, Florida International University, Miami, United States
Erin Thompson, Florida International University, Miami, United States
Ashley Adams, Florida International University, Miami, United States
Samuel Hawes, Florida International University, Miami, United States
Raul Gonzalez, Florida International University, Miami, United States
Category: Addiction/Dependence
Keyword 1: cannabis
Keyword 2: decision-making
Keyword 3: adolescence
Objective:
Cannabis use among adolescents has been associated with problems across a variety of domains, such as family and peer relationships, educational/occupational achievement, and finances. However, not all adolescents will develop cannabis use-related problems and individual factors play a role in determining which cannabis-using adolescents are at greater risk. Motives for cannabis use and risky decision-making (DM) are two factors that have been shown to differentially impact the development of cannabis use-related problems among adolescents. To our knowledge, the current study will be the first to examine the interactive effects of cannabis use motives (i.e., health or recreational) and risky DM on cannabis use-related problems over time in adolescence.
Participants and Methods:
We examined 171 adolescent cannabis users (aged 14-17 at baseline) over a two-year study period who were at risk for cannabis use escalation. Participants were majority male (57.7%) and Hispanic/Latino (91.8%). Latent growth curve modeling and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the interactive effects of motives for cannabis use and risky DM on the number of lifetime cannabis use-related problems at baseline (BL), and on the rate of escalation of lifetime cannabis use-related problems over time. We used the Marijuana Problems Scale as a self-report measure to assess the cumulative total lifetime number of cannabis use-related problems across study visits. Additionally, the Marijuana Reasons for Use Questionnaire assessed cannabis use motives among adolescents, while the Game of Dice Task was used as a neuropsychological measure of risky DM. Covariates included estimated IQ, age, sex, and lifetime frequency (days used) of cannabis, alcohol, and nicotine use.
Results:
The results revealed no significant interactive effects of motives for cannabis use and risky DM on the amount of lifetime cannabis use-related problems at BL, or on the rate of escalation in cannabis use-related problems over time. Similarly, the health motives factor was not a significant predictor of the number of lifetime cannabis use-related problems at BL or across the two-year study period. However, we did find a significant main effect of recreational motives on the amount of lifetime cannabis use-related problems at BL, such that adolescents who were more likely to use cannabis for recreational purposes endorsed more cannabis use-related problems at BL relative to those less likely to use for recreational purposes.
Conclusions:
The current study was the first to longitudinally examine the interactive effects of motives for cannabis use and risky DM on cannabis use-related problems in teens. Risky DM did not impact cannabis use-related trajectories, as no significant interactive effects were found. However, the main effect of recreational motives on cannabis use-related problems at BL may suggest that adolescents who are more likely to use cannabis for recreational purposes early in their cannabis use, are more likely to experience more problems from use. Understanding how cannabis use motives differentially impact cannabis use-related problem trajectories may help to better inform prevention and treatment practices by targeting those who report using for recreational purposes.
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