Feeling connected and competent was linked to less cannabis use among Canadian youth
Among Canadian students in grades 7-12, higher relatedness and competence were associated with lower odds of cannabis use, while higher autonomy was linked to increased use.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Relatedness (feeling connected to others) and competence (feeling capable) were consistently associated with lower odds of 30-day and more frequent cannabis use, alcohol use, and binge drinking. Autonomy, however, was associated with higher odds of these behaviors.
Key Numbers
All associations were significant except competence and more frequent cannabis use among boys, and autonomy and more frequent alcohol use among girls.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional analysis of the 2014/2015 Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CSTADS). Grade 7-12 students completed the Children's Intrinsic Needs Satisfaction Scale (CINSS) measuring autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Associations with substance use were examined via logistic regression, stratified by sex.
Why This Research Matters
This study provides evidence that positive mental health factors, not just risk factors, are associated with substance use patterns, supporting strengths-based prevention approaches.
The Bigger Picture
The finding that autonomy is associated with increased substance use challenges simple assumptions about positive youth development, suggesting that feeling autonomous without corresponding social connection or competence may facilitate risky behavior.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional design prevents causal conclusions. Self-reported substance use may be underreported. The autonomy finding may reflect measurement issues rather than a true protective-factor reversal.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does building competence and relatedness in youth actually reduce substance use over time?
- ?Why does autonomy show the opposite pattern from competence and relatedness?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Relatedness and competence linked to lower odds of cannabis use
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate: large national survey with validated measures, though cross-sectional design limits causal inference.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2020 in Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada.
- Original Title:
- Autonomy, competence and relatedness and cannabis and alcohol use among youth in Canada: a cross-sectional analysis.
- Published In:
- Health promotion and chronic disease prevention in Canada : research, policy and practice, 40(5-6), 201-210 (2020)
- Authors:
- Enns, Aganeta, Orpana, Heather
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02536
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Why was autonomy linked to more substance use?
The researchers suggest that youth who feel more autonomous may have more opportunities and confidence to try substances. Without the balancing effects of social connection and competence, autonomy alone may not protect against substance use.
What do these findings mean for prevention programs?
The results support programs that build social connections and competence in youth rather than focusing solely on risk factors. Simply promoting independence without these other elements may not reduce substance use.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02536APA
Enns, Aganeta; Orpana, Heather. (2020). Autonomy, competence and relatedness and cannabis and alcohol use among youth in Canada: a cross-sectional analysis.. Health promotion and chronic disease prevention in Canada : research, policy and practice, 40(5-6), 201-210. https://doi.org/10.24095/hpcdp.40.5/6.09
MLA
Enns, Aganeta, et al. "Autonomy, competence and relatedness and cannabis and alcohol use among youth in Canada: a cross-sectional analysis.." Health promotion and chronic disease prevention in Canada : research, 2020. https://doi.org/10.24095/hpcdp.40.5/6.09
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Autonomy, competence and relatedness and cannabis and alcoho..." RTHC-02536. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/enns-2020-autonomy-competence-and-relatedness
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.