Young Iranian women used cannabis to cope with family dysfunction and relational trauma | Research

The takeaway

Qualitative interviews with 12 young female cannabis users in Iran found family dysfunction and unresolved relational trauma were the primary drivers of cannabis use, employed as a coping mechanism for emotional distress.

Women's mental health researchers, family therapy practitioners, cross-cultural substance use researchers

Family dysfunction identified as primary driver of cannabis use

What the researchers found

Thematic narrative analysis of 12 interviews generated 961 open codes organized into two themes. "Dysfunctional Interpersonal Relationships" (447 codes) showed how maladaptive family interactions, particularly parent-child conflict, contributed to cannabis initiation and persistence. "Positive and Negative Qualities of Interpersonal Relationships" (514 codes) revealed that emotional neglect, absence of secure attachment, and unresolved relational distress drove cannabis use as a coping mechanism, while some participants reported receiving emotional support from peers or family.

Why it matters

In Iran, where cannabis is the second most commonly used illicit substance with rising use among women, understanding the relational drivers of use is critical for developing culturally appropriate prevention. The finding that family dysfunction is the primary driver suggests family-level interventions may be more effective than individual-focused approaches.

The numbers in context

12 participants; 961 open codes; 2 overarching themes; 447 codes on dysfunctional family relationships; 514 codes on relationship qualities across developmental stages; data collected 2022-2023 in Tehran and Karaj

How the study worked

Thematic narrative analysis conducted in Karaj and Tehran (2022-2023). Twelve young women who use cannabis recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. Semi-structured interviews conducted until data saturation. Open coding and thematic analysis.

What this study cannot tell us

Very small sample (12 participants) limits generalizability. Snowball sampling may recruit women with similar experiences. Cultural context of Iran may not generalize to other settings. Retrospective self-report of childhood experiences may be subject to recall bias.

How to read the evidence

Rich qualitative data with saturation reached, but very small purposive sample from one country provides preliminary evidence with limited generalizability.

When this study was published

2025 publication; interviews conducted 2022-2023

The bigger picture

Across cultures and contexts, family relationships emerge as a consistent driver of substance use initiation in women. This Iranian study adds cross-cultural evidence that relational trauma and emotional neglect create vulnerability for cannabis use as a coping strategy.

Questions still open

Would family-based interventions reduce cannabis use initiation among young Iranian women? How do cultural norms around gender and family influence the relationship between relational trauma and substance use?

Common questions

Why did these women start using cannabis?

The dominant narrative involved experiences of emotional neglect, parent-child conflict, and absence of secure attachment figures during childhood and adolescence. Cannabis use was employed as a coping mechanism for unresolved emotional needs and relational distress.

Is cannabis use among women increasing in Iran?

Yes. Cannabis has emerged as the second most commonly consumed illicit substance in Iran, with a notable rise in use among women, making understanding gender-specific drivers of use increasingly important.

Read the original research

Understanding the nature of interpersonal relationships through the interpretations of young female cannabis users in Iran.

Archives of women's mental health, 28(6), 1547-1559

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Armanisadr, Nika; Bijari, Azam Farah; Khosravi, Zohreh. (2025). Understanding the nature of interpersonal relationships through the interpretations of young female cannabis users in Iran.. Archives of women's mental health, 28(6), 1547-1559. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-025-01624-8