Gender Differences in Adolescent Marijuana Use and Associated Psychosocial Characteristics

Abstract

Marijuana use in adolescents is associated with many adverse outcomes, including neurobiological and health consequences. Despite this, little is known about gender differences in the correlates of adolescent marijuana use. This study attempted to fill this gap by examining gender differences in the correlates of lifetime and past 30-day marijuana use. Data from a cross-sectional statewide survey of adolescent risk behavior participation in Connecticut were analyzed using chi-square and hierarchical logistic regression methodologies to examine the demographic, psychosocial and risk behavior correlates of adolescent marijuana use. Gender-by-trait interactions were tested with hierarchical logistic regression. Of the 4523 participants (51.8% female, 75.8% Caucasian), 40.4% endorsed lifetime marijuana use and 24.5% endorsed past 30-day marijuana use. Risk behavior participation, particularly other substance use, had the most robust associations with lifetime and past 30-day adolescent marijuana use; participation in extracurricular activities appeared protective. Gender interactions were observed for African-American, Asian or other race and participation in extracurricular activities; in these three cases, males had a greater likelihood of use. They were also observed for having a job (lifetime use only), with females having elevated odds, and past 30-day cigarette smoking (past 30-day use only), with males having elevated odds. Finally, there was preliminary evidence of a faster transition from initiation of marijuana use to regular use in females, as compared to males. These results indicate important gender differences in the correlates of marijuana use in adolescents, and these findings may facilitate the development of gender-informed prevention and early intervention programs for adolescent marijuana use.

UPPS-P model impulsivity and marijuana use behaviors in adolescents: A meta-analysis

“…Because adolescent boys tend to report high levels of sensation seeking (d 'Acremont and Van der Linden, 2005;Cyders, 2013) -the most commonly researched impulsivity trait in adolescent marijuana use -and higher rates of marijuana use (Williams et al, 2007;Schepis et al, 2011), it is possible that the gender trends could be meaningful in more appropriately powered analyses.…”

“…Gender plays an important role in marijuana use behaviors (e.g., Ames et al, 2005;Kong et al, 2013) and impulsivity trait levels (d 'Acremont and Van der Linden, 2005;Cross et al, 2011;Cyders, 2013), such that adolescent boys tend to report higher levels of sensation seeking, positive urgency, and marijuana use (Williams et al, 2007;Schepis et al, 2011), although this gap is closing (see Johnson et al, 2015 for review). Adolescent boys begin using marijuana at an earlier age (Kosterman et al, 2000;Johnson et al, 2015) and are more likely to experience negative marijuana consequences (Ames et al, 2005).…”

Two-year outcomes of a randomized, family-based substance use prevention trial for Asian American adolescent girls.

“…Emerging data support the promise of web-based substance use prevention for adolescents (Di Noia, Schwinn, Dastur, & Schinke, 2003; Duncan, Duncan, Beauchamp, Wells, & Ary, 2000; Gordon, 2000; Moore, Soderquist, & Werch, 2005; Newton, Teesson, Vogl, & Andrews, 2010; Newton, Vogl, Teesson, & Andrews, 2011; Schinke & Schwinn, 2005; Schwinn, Schinke, & Di Noia, 2010; Segal, Chen, Gordon, Kacir, & Gylys, 2003; Williams et al, 2005) and their parents (Gordon, 2000; Kacir, Gordon, & Kirby, 1999; Schinke, Schwinn, & Fang, 2010; Segal et al, 2003). The Internet enables users to overcome geographical limitations, enjoy flexible access to information, and have control over navigating program materials.…”

Daily Use, Especially of High-Potency Cannabis, Drives the Earlier Onset of Psychosis in Cannabis Users

“…1 However, many studies have shown that male gender is also associated with a younger age of onset of schizophrenia. [2][3][4] Because males are more likely to use recreational drugs than females, 5,6 this raises the question of whether the earlier AOP in cannabis users could be confounded by gender.…”