Examining cannabis protective behavioral strategy use using multiple methods

Abstract

Purpose Cannabis use among young adults is increasing, despite being associated with several negative consequences. Protective behavioral strategies (PBSs) are a potential mechanism of behavior change for reducing substance use, yet PBS use for cannabis is not well understood. The purpose of this paper is to further define and measure the PBS construct for cannabis. Design/methodology/approach A community sample of cannabis users (n=54) participated in eight focus groups discussing the use of PBSs. Participants completed surveys regarding demographics, cannabis use habits and cannabis problems. The authors also administered an existing measure of cannabis PBS and asked them to generate new or unique protective strategies that they had used or had heard of others using. Findings Thematic analysis of qualitative focus group data provided information about cannabis users’ reasons for regulating cannabis use (e.g. health or legal problems, interpersonal) as well as strategies to moderate cannabis use or attenuate their risk for experiencing adverse consequences (e.g. distraction, existential/spiritual strategies). Analyses of quantitative survey data revealed that use of PBSs was negatively correlated with cannabis outcomes. Perceived helpfulness of strategies was an important predictor of decreased cannabis use and adverse consequences. Research limitations/implications Findings expand the understanding of the definition and measurement of strategies for regulating cannabis use and reducing related risk of experiencing adverse consequences. Originality/value This is the first study to examine cannabis-related PBS using both qualitative and quantitative methods, which provide insights into the definition of PBS and for future refinements of PBS measurement.

Interactions of protective behavioral strategies and cannabis use motives: An online survey among past-month users

“…It was validated in young adult college students, resulting in acceptable psychometric properties of a one-factor structure for the 36-item long-version and the 17-item short-version [ 24 , 25 ]. PBSM are robustly associated with lower frequency of cannabis use, less negative consequences [ 24 – 29 ] and less symptoms of dependence [ 24 , 30 ] in US college students. In veterans and college students with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who are at risk for experiencing cannabis related negative consequences, the use of PBSM is associated with experiencing less cannabis related problems and less CUD symptoms [ 28 , 30 ].…”

A comprehensive review of measures of protective behavioral strategies across various risk factors and associated PBS-related interventions.

“…This study also suggests that cannabis PBS use can be utilized to both mitigate risk factors and enhance protective factors among cannabis users (Bravo et al, 2017). A more recent study (Prince et al, 2019) sought to expand upon the efficacy of the PBSM by analyzing both qualitative and quantitative data from a community sample of heavy cannabis users. Results of the qualitative analyses revealed participants’ motivations for using PBS (e.g., health, legal, interpersonal problems).…”

Cannabis use, Attitudes, Regulation and Health: Survey Data from an Urban Population of users and Non-Users

“…PBSM can function as a protective factor, buffering risks and limiting heavy use and the development of addiction, as tested and discussed in several studies published in the past three years 37,[46][47][48] : Consistently, PBSM have been shown to be associated with lower use frequency, negative consequences, and dependence and to mitigate known risk factors for heavy use. The present study is in line with these findings.…”