Mapping the pathways between recreational cannabis use and mood disorders: A Behaviour Sequence Analysis approach

Abstract

Issues Addressed Although cannabis use is still illegal in most places around the world, it remains a widely used drug. The recreational use of cannabis has been linked to multiple mental wellbeing issues, including psychosis, depression and anxiety. The objective of this study was to investigate the temporal dynamics of cannabis use in relation to mental health issues. Methods The current research uses a novel methodological approach, behaviour sequence analysis, to understand the temporal relationship between recreational cannabis use and surrounding issues related to mental wellbeing, in a sample of 61 participants who had written autobiographical accounts online. Results The results indicated a bi‐directional temporal ordering between cannabis use and mood disorders. Cannabis use preceded psychosis and can also exacerbate symptoms of psychosis, depression and anxiety. Findings also suggested that low self‐esteem may be a predictor of future cannabis use. Conclusions Research shows a link between mood disorders and recreational cannabis use. The BSA method can be used in applied settings to map pathways in individuals’ life histories. So what? The current study shows the sequential links between cannabis use and psychosis, depression and anxiety. Results show there is no single clear pathway and clinical practitioners should focus on a wider range of factors in individual's case histories.

The Association between Recent Cannabis Use and Suicidal Ideation in Adults: A Population-based Analysis of the NHANES from 2005 to 2018

“…While observational studies have suggested that heavy cannabis use may unveil depressive or psychotic episodes 12 , there are many biopsychosocial factors involved. 33 , 34 This discussion is further complicated by recent trends of cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids being used as self-medication or prescribed as experimental therapy for acute and chronic psychiatric disorders. While there is literature in support of its therapeutic value and safety for chronic pain, 35 , 36 multiple sclerosis, 37 cancer, 38 and inflammatory bowel disease, 39 the evidence for prescribing cannabis for the symptomatic treatment of psychotic, anxiety, or mood disorders is scarce and mixed.…”

Behavior Sequencing Violent Episodes in Forensic Youth Populations

“…A growing wealth of research shows the cognitive, social, and developmental predictors of violence, future research could stratify the sample into individuals with different demographics or measurement scores. Taking a typology approach to BSA would be more akin to recent research (e.g., Keatley et al, 2019), in which different typologies of serial killers showed different sequences, or Marono et al (2018) research into different personality clusters and deception. Therefore, measuring individual’s personality and developmental backgrounds might offer clearer sequential predictions.…”

“…Focusing on violent outbursts as isolated events provides a basic approach to understanding precursors of violent episodes; however, a more useful approach when attempting to understand real-world, dynamic behaviors is Behavior Sequence Analysis (BSA; Clarke & Crossland, 1985; Keatley, 2018). BSA has been used in a number of applied settings, especially in the area of Forensic Psychology and Criminology (Keatley et al, 2019; Taylor et al, 2008). BSA is underpinned by statistical analysis of the interdependence between individual behaviors and events.…”

“The road not taken”: Understanding and mapping complexity in threat assessment.

“…This is the basic approach of behavior sequence analysis (BSA; Keatley, 2018), which has been applied to real-world cases of homicides (Keatley, Golightly, Shephard, Yaksic, & Reid, 2018), violence (Taylor et al, 2017), stalking (Quinn-Evans, Keatley, Arntfield, & Sheridan, 2019), drugs (Keatley, Walters, Parke, Joyce, & Clarke, 2019), and sexual assault and rape cases (Ellis, Clarke, & Keatley, 2017; Fossi, Clarke, & Lawrence, 2005; Lawrence, Fossi, & Clarke, 2010). In each application, the premise remains the same: what behaviors are observed and in what order do they occur.…”