A Multimethod Examination of Individual and Environmental Contributors to Cannabis Use and Related Problems

University Of Pittsburgh At Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA

Investigators

Abstract

Significance: Young adults with higher levels of lifetime chronic stress engage in heavier cannabis use and are more likely to experience cannabis use disorder. The mechanistic reasons underlying these associations leading to proximal decisions to use cannabis are poorly understood and in critical need of empirical study. The proposed community engaged R01 examines the dynamic transactions between stressors, reactivity (physiological and emotional), and cannabis cognitions (craving, motives) to identify the processes that contribute to cannabis use outcomes for young adults. Aims: Aim 1 Examine how lifetime chronic stress relates to cannabis cognitions and problems and to the experience of acute stressors in young adults. Aim 2 will test reactivity as a between- and within- person characteristic that tightens the effect of experiencing a stressor on cannabis cognitions and cannabis outcomes. Aim 3 will examine the transaction among cannabis use, cannabis cognitions, and reactivity from BL through 12-month follow-up. Hypotheses: We hypothesize that young adults with higher lifetime stress exposures will report higher cannabis craving, coping motives, and cannabis problems. These differences will be partially driven by acute stressors and heightened reactivity to acute stressors, which will tighten the association between acute stress exposure and cannabis cognitions. Young adults with higher lifetime chronic stress at baseline will increase their cannabis use and problems through the 6- and 12-month follow-ups and this increase will be driven by higher baseline cannabis cognitions. Increases in cannabis use from baseline to 6-month follow-up will be associated with increased reactivity at 12-month follow-up. In turn, increased reactivity will relate to tightened associations between acute stress exposure and cannabis cognitions during the 12- month ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Approach: Young adults who use cannabis (weekly+ freq.; N=350; 18- 25 years of age; 50% female) will be recruited. Participants will complete an interview/questionnaires and a standardized stress task to assess reactivity (subjective, physiological: HF- HRV) and craving. Next, participants will complete a 17-day EMA protocol to record stress events, reactivity (subjective and physiological), cannabis cognitions, and cannabis use/problems. Parallel lab and EMA protocols will be completed at a 12-month follow-up with a brief survey of cannabis use and problems at 6 months. This proposal is directly in line with NIDA’s strategic priorities on addressing real-world complexities that contribute to substance use problems. This research takes a critical step towards identifying proximal points of intervention to reduce negative cannabis use outcomes.