Cannabis creates complex family dynamics for youth in early psychosis programs
Youth in early psychosis programs described cannabis as both a source of family conflict due to psychosis risk and, paradoxically, a bonding experience with some family members who use it themselves.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Participants described five themes: parental disapproval driven by psychosis concerns, intra-family cannabis consumption, family influence on use patterns, changing parental attitudes over time, and increased closeness with family members who also use cannabis.
Key Numbers
15 participants aged 20-30 in EPI programs. Five themes identified. Most reported cannabis contributed to family tension, but some noted positive effects on bonding.
How They Did This
Qualitative study using thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 15 youth ages 20-30 enrolled in Early Psychosis Intervention programs.
Why This Research Matters
Family dynamics around cannabis use in psychosis are more complex than simple prohibition narratives suggest. When family members themselves use cannabis while discouraging the patient's use, it creates contradictory messages that complicate recovery.
The Bigger Picture
Early psychosis programs emphasize reducing cannabis use due to its association with relapse. But when cannabis is normalized within families, patients receive mixed messages that standard clinical approaches may not address.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small purposive sample from EPI programs. Self-selected participants willing to discuss cannabis and family dynamics. No verification of reported family cannabis use patterns.
Questions This Raises
- ?How should early psychosis programs address intra-family cannabis use?
- ?Does family cannabis use undermine clinical recommendations for patients to abstain?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- family members who both disapproved of and engaged in cannabis use created contradictory dynamics for youth in early psychosis programs
- Evidence Grade:
- Small qualitative study providing rich descriptive data on an understudied phenomenon, but limited generalizability.
- Study Age:
- 2025 publication.
- Original Title:
- A Qualitative Study of Cannabis Use and Family Dynamics Among Youth in Early Psychosis Programs.
- Published In:
- Journal of dual diagnosis, 21(3), 204-211 (2025)
- Authors:
- Ghelani, Amar(2)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-06533
Evidence Hierarchy
Uses interviews or focus groups to understand experiences in depth.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Why is cannabis especially risky for people with psychosis?
Cannabis use, particularly high-potency products, is associated with worsening psychotic symptoms and increased risk of relapse in people with psychotic disorders. Early psychosis programs typically recommend cessation.
How common is family cannabis use in this context?
This small study found it was a notable theme. Some participants described family members using cannabis in their presence, offering it to them, or bonding over shared use, even as other family members strongly disapproved.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06533APA
Ghelani, Amar. (2025). A Qualitative Study of Cannabis Use and Family Dynamics Among Youth in Early Psychosis Programs.. Journal of dual diagnosis, 21(3), 204-211. https://doi.org/10.1080/15504263.2025.2517175
MLA
Ghelani, Amar. "A Qualitative Study of Cannabis Use and Family Dynamics Among Youth in Early Psychosis Programs.." Journal of dual diagnosis, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1080/15504263.2025.2517175
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "A Qualitative Study of Cannabis Use and Family Dynamics Amon..." RTHC-06533. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/ghelani-2025-a-qualitative-study-of
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.