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.
Addiction psychiatrists, personality researchers, and CUD prevention specialists.
Low conscientiousness, low agreeableness, and high open-mindedness predicted cannabis use disorder
What the researchers 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.
Why it matters
Identifying personality profiles associated with CUD risk could help target prevention efforts and inform treatment approaches that address underlying personality dimensions.
The numbers in context
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 the study worked
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.
What this study cannot 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.
How to read the evidence
Well-characterized inpatient sample with structured diagnostic interviews, but cross-sectional design and clinical population limit generalizability.
When this study was published
2025 publication with 2016-2021 data.
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.
Questions still open
- Could personality-based screening identify young people at higher CUD risk?
- Would personality-informed treatment approaches improve CUD outcomes?
Read the original research
Associations between big five personality dimensions and lifetime use of cannabis.
The American journal on addictions, 34(3), 322-326
Citation
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
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