In a real-time tracking study of adolescents discharged from psychiatric hospitalization, cannabis use was associated with higher positive affect and lower anger, with stronger positive mood effects among youth with PTSD or generalized anxiety disorder.
Adolescent psychiatrists, substance use counselors, inpatient discharge planners
Concurrent other drug use increased odds of cannabis use 27-fold
What the researchers found
Using ecological momentary assessment over 21 days following psychiatric discharge, cannabis use among adolescents was associated with higher positive affect and lower anger/irritability but not with negative affect. The positive affect boost was stronger among youth diagnosed with PTSD or generalized anxiety disorder. Concurrent use of other drugs dramatically increased the odds of cannabis use (OR=27.63).
Why it matters
Understanding why psychiatrically vulnerable adolescents use cannabis in real-time contexts helps identify intervention targets. The finding that cannabis may be used to enhance positive emotions rather than escape negative ones shifts the clinical conversation.
The numbers in context
62 adolescents (ages 13-18, 64.5% female); 21 days EMA post-discharge; concurrent drug use OR=27.63; stronger positive affect effects in PTSD/GAD youth
How the study worked
Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) over 21 days with 62 adolescents (ages 13-18, 64.5% female) discharged from inpatient psychiatric hospitalization for suicidal thoughts and behaviors who reported ever using cannabis. Clinical interviews conducted during hospitalization.
What this study cannot tell us
Small sample of psychiatrically hospitalized youth limits generalizability. Self-reported cannabis use in real-time may still underestimate actual use. 21-day assessment window captures only early post-discharge period.
How to read the evidence
Novel real-time assessment methodology with a clinically important population, but small sample and short follow-up limit conclusions.
When this study was published
Published 2023
The bigger picture
If high-risk adolescents use cannabis primarily to boost positive emotions, interventions focused on alternative positive affect strategies may be more effective than those targeting negative affect reduction.
Questions still open
- Does cannabis use for positive affect enhancement in this population delay or interfere with psychiatric recovery? Would teaching alternative positive affect skills reduce cannabis use?
Common questions
Why do teens with mental health conditions use cannabis?
Did mental health diagnosis affect how cannabis impacted mood?
Read the original research
Ecological Momentary Assessment of Cannabis Use and Affect Among Adolescents Following Psychiatric Discharge.
Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs, 84(1), 67-78
Citation
Brick, Leslie A; Gajewski-Nemes, Julia A; Marraccini, Marisa E; Brown, Shaquanna; Armey, Michael; Nugent, Nicole R. (2023). Ecological Momentary Assessment of Cannabis Use and Affect Among Adolescents Following Psychiatric Discharge.. Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs, 84(1), 67-78.
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