Dissertation
Sexual Minorities’ Cannabis Use Patterns, Motives for Use, and Associations with Mental Health
Washington State University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
2023
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000005374
Abstract
Sexual minorities (e.g., gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals) are at increased risk for using cannabis compared to heterosexuals. While previous research has identified that sexual minorities use cannabis more frequently compared to heterosexuals, little research has examined specific patterns of cannabis use (e.g., quantity, age of onset) in this population. Further, while some research has identified motivation factors for cannabis use among sexual minorities, much of this research has been qualitative in nature and/or narrow in scope (e.g., focused on sexual motivations). Additionally, little research has examined associations between cannabis use and mental health outcomes in this population. To fill these gaps in the literature, data analyses were performed on archival survey data collected from 10 undergraduate psychology pools across the United States (N = 4,669) as a part of Project ART (Addictions Research Team). Three quarters of the sample (n = 3,483) were categorized in the heterosexual group, about one quarter were categorized in the bisexual group (n = 1,081), and a small percentage were categorized in the homosexual group (n = 105). The bisexual group reported using cannabis more frequently than the group of heterosexuals. Bisexuals also reported higher levels of coping and expansion motives for using cannabis compared to heterosexuals. Additionally, bisexuals reported more severe mental health symptoms (e.g., depression, suicidality, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and cannabis use disorder symptoms) compared to heterosexuals. Thus, bisexuals use cannabis more frequently compared to heterosexuals, and they report increased use of cannabis specifically to cope with their negative affect. Correlates of expansion motives are sparse in the literature and are not apparently related to negative outcomes. However, more frequent use of cannabis, especially to cope, appears to be placing bisexuals at greater risk of cannabis use disorder and social anxiety. Contrary to hypotheses, heterosexuals were found to exhibit a stronger relationship between daily cannabis sessions and social anxiety. Findings from this study can be used to guide future research and help target mental health interventions among sexual minorities.
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Details
- Title
- Sexual Minorities’ Cannabis Use Patterns, Motives for Use, and Associations with Mental Health
- Creators
- Kyle Alexander Schofield
- Contributors
- Carrie Cuttler (Advisor)Leonard Burns (Committee Member)Walter Scott (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Psychology, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 47
- Identifiers
- 99901031140801842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation