Low Conscientiousness and High Open-Mindedness Linked to Cannabis Use Disorder
Among 1,335 psychiatric inpatients, low conscientiousness, low agreeableness, and high open-mindedness were associated with cannabis use disorder after controlling for age, sex, and other substance use.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Patients with lifetime CUD scored significantly lower on conscientiousness and agreeableness and higher on open-mindedness compared to those without CUD, after controlling for age, sex, and other substance use disorders. Extraversion and neuroticism were not significantly associated with CUD.
Key Numbers
1,335 inpatients. Low conscientiousness, low agreeableness, and high open-mindedness significantly associated with CUD. Extraversion and neuroticism not significantly associated. Analysis controlled for age, sex, and other substance use disorders.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional study of 1,335 inpatients at The Menninger Clinic (September 2016-December 2021). Personality assessed with Big Five Inventory. CUD diagnosed via SCID-5. Analysis of covariance with age, sex, and other substance use as covariates.
Why This Research Matters
Identifying personality profiles associated with CUD risk could help target prevention efforts and inform treatment approaches that address underlying personality dimensions.
The Bigger Picture
The personality profile associated with CUD (low conscientiousness, high openness) differs from the profile commonly associated with alcohol use disorder (high neuroticism), suggesting that different substance use disorders may have distinct personality underpinnings.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Inpatient psychiatric sample may not represent community cannabis users. Cross-sectional design cannot determine if personality traits preceded CUD. Big Five traits are broad constructs that may miss more specific vulnerability factors. Cannot distinguish recreational use from disorder.
Questions This Raises
- ?Could personality-based screening identify young people at higher CUD risk?
- ?Would personality-informed treatment approaches improve CUD outcomes?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Low conscientiousness, low agreeableness, and high open-mindedness predicted cannabis use disorder
- Evidence Grade:
- Well-characterized inpatient sample with structured diagnostic interviews, but cross-sectional design and clinical population limit generalizability.
- Study Age:
- 2025 publication with 2016-2021 data.
- Original Title:
- Associations between big five personality dimensions and lifetime use of cannabis.
- Published In:
- The American journal on addictions, 34(3), 322-326 (2025)
- Authors:
- Jain, Tanya, Patriquin, Michelle(2), Sanches, Marsal
- Database ID:
- RTHC-06729
Evidence Hierarchy
Read More on RethinkTHC
- cannabis-dependence-physical-psychological-addiction-science
- cannabis-perception-vs-evidence-gap
- cannabis-use-disorder-test
- cross-addiction-quit-weed-start-drinking
- is-weed-addictive
- is-weed-addictive-science
- quitting-weed-and-alcohol
- rehab-for-weed-addiction-necessary
- signs-of-cannabis-use-disorder
- weed-vape-pen-addiction
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06729APA
Jain, Tanya; Patriquin, Michelle; Sanches, Marsal. (2025). Associations between big five personality dimensions and lifetime use of cannabis.. The American journal on addictions, 34(3), 322-326. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajad.13668
MLA
Jain, Tanya, et al. "Associations between big five personality dimensions and lifetime use of cannabis.." The American journal on addictions, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajad.13668
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Associations between big five personality dimensions and lif..." RTHC-06729. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/jain-2025-associations-between-big-five
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.