Among 741 cannabis users, emotion dysregulation was more strongly linked to problematic use in men than women, suggesting treatment for cannabis problems may need to address emotion regulation skills differently by sex.
People interested in why some cannabis users develop problems while others do not, and sex-based differences in addiction.
Emotion dysregulation-cannabis problem link was weaker in women
What the researchers found
Male cannabis users reported greater emotion dysregulation across almost all dimensions. Overall emotion dysregulation, nonacceptance, goal difficulties, impulsivity, and strategy deficits were all associated with more problematic cannabis use, with weaker relationships in women. Lack of emotional awareness was uniquely linked to less severe problems in men only.
Why it matters
Understanding who develops problematic cannabis use and why can improve treatment. This study suggests that difficulty managing emotions is a stronger risk factor for cannabis problems in men, which could inform sex-tailored intervention approaches.
The numbers in context
741 participants, 31.4% female. Male users scored higher on overall dysregulation, nonacceptance, goals, impulse, strategies, and clarity dimensions. Sex moderated the association between emotion dysregulation and problematic use for multiple dimensions.
How the study worked
Cross-sectional study of 741 adult past-month cannabis users (31.4% female). Problematic use was measured with the Marijuana Problems Scale. Emotion dysregulation was assessed using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Hierarchical regression tested sex as a moderator.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional design cannot determine direction of causation. More men than women participated (68.6% male), potentially limiting power for detecting effects in women. Self-report measures may not capture actual emotion regulation behavior.
How to read the evidence
Moderate-sized cross-sectional study with validated psychological measures. Limited by sex-imbalanced sample and inability to establish causation.
When this study was published
Published in 2024 in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs.
The bigger picture
Cannabis treatment programs rarely account for sex differences in emotional drivers of use. This study adds to evidence that men and women may use cannabis problematically for different emotional reasons, supporting the development of sex-specific treatment protocols.
Questions still open
- Why is emotion dysregulation more strongly linked to problematic use in men? Would emotion regulation skills training reduce cannabis problems more effectively in men? Why was lack of emotional awareness linked to fewer problems in men?
Common questions
Do men and women develop cannabis problems for different reasons?
What is emotion dysregulation?
Read the original research
Sex Moderates Associations Between Dimensions of Emotion Dysregulation and Problematic Cannabis Use.
Journal of psychoactive drugs, 56(3), 342-352
Citation
Cavalli, Jessica M; Cservenka, Anita. (2024). Sex Moderates Associations Between Dimensions of Emotion Dysregulation and Problematic Cannabis Use.. Journal of psychoactive drugs, 56(3), 342-352. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2023.2210552
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