Risk Seeking Moderates the Association Between Emotion Dysregulation and Cannabis-Related Consequences

Abstract

Sensation seeking and emotion dysregulation have been identified as contributing factors for consequences associated with cannabis use, although findings have been mixed. The study seeks to clarify relations between sensation seeking, emotion dysregulation, and cannabis-related consequences. Cannabis users (N = 2,128) were assessed for facets of sensation seeking, emotion dysregulation, and cannabis-related consequences. Results revealed a positive association between risk seeking and cannabis-related consequences, as well as between emotion dysregulation and cannabis-related consequences. A negative association was observed between experience seeking and cannabis-related consequences. An interaction was found between emotion dysregulation and risk seeking. Risk seeking appears to be a risk factor for cannabis-related consequences at lower levels of emotion dysregulation. At high levels, the effect of emotion dysregulation superseded that of risk seeking. These findings have implications for the prioritization of clinical concerns in individuals seeking treatment for problematic cannabis use.

Examination of Rumination’s Mediating Role in the Relation Between Distal Personality Predictors, Cannabis Coping Motives, and Negative Cannabis-Related Consequences

“…Past research indicates that cognitive processes (such as cannabis refusal self-efficacy, cognitive reappraisal of emotions, and premeditation) are strategies effectually moderating predictive associations between high-risk traits, coping use motives, and negative use consequences ( Bonn-Miller at al., 2008 ; Brook et al, 2016 . ; Cerdá et al, 2016 ; Dvorak & Day, 2014 ; Kentopp at al., 2019 ; Pearson at al., 2018 ; Prosek et al, 2018 ; VanderVeen, 2016 ). Given this, we sought to further understand the potential effect of rumination (as a form of cognitive processing), potentially linking the associations between distal predictors, cannabis coping motives, and negative use consequences.…”

“…Previous studies have established certain personality traits as distal antecedents of cannabis use and negative consequences of cannabis use (e.g., Dvorak & Day, 2014 ; Kentopp et al, 2019 ; Pearson et al, 2018 ). Such traits include sensation seeking, impulsivity, and emotion dysregulation.…”

“…While research has established links between personality and cannabis consequences (e.g., Dvorak & Day, 2014 ; Kentopp et al, 2019 ; Pearson et al, 2018 ), the pathway is not expressly understood, and, given that personality is difficult to change ( Wagner et al, 2020 ), this information does not inform effective interventions to stop individuals from experiencing these consequences. Personality first forms during childhood, solidifies in adolescence and young adulthood, and typically remains stable across the rest of the lifespan.…”

A Scoping Review of Risk and Protective Factors for Negative Cannabis Use Consequences

“…68 Several cross-sectional studies described an association between higher scores on self-reported impulsivity measures and the experiences of CRNCs. 44,57,[69][70][71] Sensation seekingthe trait of seeking novel and intense experiences-was also significantly associated with CRNCs 45,70,72 with one exception, a significant, negative association to CRNCs among persons with relatively low use of protective behavioral strategies (ie, acting as a mediator for the risk and protective factors of cannabis consequences). 73 There were no longitudinal studies investigating this relationship identified in our search.…”