Motives, Frequency, and Consequences of Cannabis Use Among College Students

Abstract

We investigated profiles of cannabis use motives among current cannabis-consuming college students. Then we assessed profile differences in demographic characteristics, social contexts of use, regulatory environment, alcohol use, negative affect, negative consequences, and cannabis use. Participants ( N = 1, 213) were from three universities in states with different cannabis legislation. Six profiles emerged: Low Motives, Low to Moderate Enhance, High Enhance, High Enhance & Social + Moderate Expand, High Enhance & Cope, and High Motives. Profiles differed in social contexts of use, sex, alcohol use, negative affect, and regulatory environment. Profiles endorsing high and multiple motives had higher cannabis use and negative consequences, relative to profiles with low or fewer motives. Profiles characterized by high avoidance motives (i.e., coping) had the highest cannabis use and consequences. Interventions targeting types and intensity of motives for cannabis-use may help reduce use and related consequences among college students who use cannabis.

Sex differences in the relationship between cannabis use motives and cannabis craving in daily life in emerging adults.

“…Unlike some previous studies (Buckner et al, 2012; Espinosa et al, 2023), we did not observe any significant sex/gender differences in cannabis use motives endorsed at baseline. However, some prior studies have reported sex/gender differences in the relationships between cannabis use motives and other cannabis-related outcomes, more so than in the frequency of motives endorsement (Buckner et al, 2012; Bujarski et al, 2012; Morris & Buckner, 2023; Simons et al, 1998).…”

“…This is generally inconsistent with prior research on the relationship between coping motives and related use problems (Bujarski et al, 2012; Simons et al, 1998) and cannabis craving reactivity (Buckner et al, 2011; Garavan, 2010; Naqvi et al, 2014) in women. Alternatively, our findings with respect to emerging adult men and enhancement motives were consistent with prior research showing that emerging adult men were more likely to endorse high enhancement motives (Espinosa et al, 2023).…”

“…The approach motive we focused on, enhancement , was associated with greater relief craving reactivity to cannabis cues relative to neutral cues, and the avoidance motive, coping , was associated with greater reward craving reactivity to cannabis cues, in women especially. The current sample was characterized by frequent past month use (∼24 days) and high endorsement of enhancement motives, which is consistent with prior literature (Bresin & Mekawi, 2019; Espinosa et al, 2023). In addition, approximately 94% of the current sample met the criteria for a CUD.…”

“…Research indicates that there are meaningful sex differences in motives for cannabis use; however, findings are somewhat mixed. Whereas a few studies have observed sex differences in the endorsement of motives (Buckner et al, 2012; Espinosa et al, 2023), others have not (Comeau et al, 2001). Specific to enhancement and coping motives, men tend to endorse more enhancement motives and women tend to endorse coping motives (Espinosa et al, 2023).…”

“…Although they are relatively stable characteristics, motives for use differ between individuals and can differ within an individual or be altered or modified over time (Blevins et al, 2016(Blevins et al, , 2018. Importantly, endorsing numerous strong motives, especially enhancement and coping, for cannabis use is associated with higher use and related negative consequences in emerging adults, and emerging adults endorse enhancement and coping motives at higher frequencies than other motives (Bresin & Mekawi, 2019;Espinosa et al, 2023). Additionally, coping motives have been associated with elevated craving (Farris et al, 2016;Peraza et al, 2019), a potentially aversive, distressing, or unwanted experience that can interfere with the quality of life (see Tiffany & Wray, 2012).…”