Cannabis use did not independently predict suicidal thoughts after controlling for personality traits

What the researchers found

Researchers surveyed 972 high school students on cannabis use, suicidal ideation, depressive symptoms, social anxiety, and personality traits. While cannabis use appeared associated with suicidal ideation in unadjusted analyses, this association was no longer significant after controlling for borderline and psychopathic personality traits.

The authors noted that previous studies showing inconsistent results regarding cannabis and suicidality may have been affected by failing to control for these specific personality traits, which are independently linked to both cannabis use and suicidal thinking.

Why it matters

This study highlights the importance of confounding in cannabis research. When personality traits that drive both cannabis use and suicidal thinking are properly accounted for, the apparent direct link between cannabis and suicidality diminished. This distinction matters for clinical assessment and prevention.

The numbers in context

972 high school students. Cannabis use was not a significant independent predictor of suicidal ideation after adjusting for borderline and psychopathic personality traits, in either the total sample or the subsample of cannabis users.

How the study worked

Cross-sectional survey of 972 high school students using validated questionnaires for cannabis use, suicidal ideation, depressive symptoms, social anxiety, and borderline and psychopathic personality traits. Regression analyses tested whether cannabis independently predicted suicidal ideation after adjustment for confounders.

What this study cannot tell us

Cross-sectional design cannot establish temporal or causal relationships. Self-reported data on sensitive topics. Only one measure of suicidal ideation was used. The study controlled for borderline and psychopathic traits but may have missed other relevant confounders.

How to read the evidence

Adequately powered cross-sectional study with novel confounder controls, though unable to establish causation.

When this study was published

Published in 2014.

The bigger picture

The relationship between cannabis and suicidality has been debated extensively. This study suggests that at least part of the association is driven by underlying personality traits rather than cannabis itself, which has implications for whether cannabis prevention or personality-focused interventions are more appropriate targets.

Questions still open

• Would longitudinal studies with personality trait controls show the same null result? Do personality traits confound the cannabis-suicidality association in adults as well? Could cannabis use modify the expression of personality-driven suicidality even if not independently causing it?

Common questions

Read the original research

Cannabis use and suicidal ideations in high-school students.

Addictive behaviors, 39(12), 1766-8

Citation

Chabrol, Henri; Melioli, Tiffany; Goutaudier, Nelly. (2014). Cannabis use and suicidal ideations in high-school students.. Addictive behaviors, 39(12), 1766-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2014.06.008

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