Nearly one in five Jamaican adolescents used marijuana recently, with psychosocial risks as key correlates

Among Jamaican adolescents aged 13-17, older age and male sex predicted higher marijuana use. Psychosocial factors including loneliness, frequent worry, suicidal ideation, physical attacks, and school absenteeism were all associated with higher use. Parental smoking increased odds while strong parental support decreased them. Amphetamine and tobacco use showed the strongest substance-related associations. Early sexual initiation (before age 14) correlated with higher marijuana use.

Cross-sectional analysis of the 2017 Jamaica Global School-Based Student Health Survey covering students in grades 7-12. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression assessed associations between demographics, psychosocial factors, substance use, risk behaviors, and past-30-day marijuana use.

Jamaica has unique cultural attitudes toward cannabis, yet adolescent use patterns mirror those seen globally, suggesting universal risk factors that transcend cultural context.

The clustering of marijuana use with emotional distress, other substance use, and risky sexual behavior suggests adolescent cannabis use may be a marker of broader vulnerability rather than an isolated behavior.

Cross-sectional design cannot determine causation. Self-reported data subject to recall and social desirability bias. School-based survey misses out-of-school adolescents who may have different use patterns. Jamaica-specific findings may not generalize.