Hopelessness was the strongest unique predictor of cannabis use among young adolescents
Among 605 adolescents (mean age 13.2 years), cannabis users scored higher on nearly every mental health risk factor assessed, but hopelessness was the only variable uniquely associated with cannabis use after controlling for other factors.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Cannabis users scored significantly higher on anomalous reality perception (d = 0.60), hopelessness (d = 0.85), depression symptoms (d = 0.80), rumination (d = 0.48), and anxiety (d = 0.39). Suicide attempts were 3.4 times more common (25.9% vs 7.7%). Logistic regression showed hopelessness was the only unique predictor of cannabis use (OR 1.159, P = 0.033).
Key Numbers
605 adolescents; mean age 13.2; hopelessness d = 0.85; depression d = 0.80; anomalous perception d = 0.60; suicide attempts 25.9% users vs 7.7% non-users; hopelessness OR 1.159
How They Did This
Cross-sectional study of 605 adolescents in 7th-9th grades (mean age 13.2 years, 47% girls) assessed using validated questionnaires for anomalous perception, rumination, intolerance of uncertainty, hopelessness, depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts. Binary logistic regression identified unique predictors.
Why This Research Matters
Early adolescent cannabis use is increasing, and understanding which mental health factors are most tightly linked could inform targeted prevention. The finding that hopelessness specifically stands out is actionable for school-based mental health programs.
The Bigger Picture
Hopelessness is a modifiable risk factor. If it is both a driver of and consequence of early cannabis use, targeting hopelessness in prevention programs could potentially interrupt the cycle at a point where intervention is most practical.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional design cannot determine whether hopelessness leads to cannabis use or vice versa. Spanish adolescent sample may not generalize globally. Self-report measures. Cannabis use was binary (yes/no) without frequency data.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would hopelessness-targeted interventions reduce adolescent cannabis use?
- ?Does cannabis use increase or decrease hopelessness over time?
- ?Are these associations specific to early onset users or do they apply at all ages?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Hopelessness: the only unique predictor of cannabis use in early adolescents
- Evidence Grade:
- Solid sample size with validated measures, but cross-sectional design limits causal inference.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2021.
- Original Title:
- Cannabis use among early adolescents and transdiagnostic mental health risk factors.
- Published In:
- Clinical child psychology and psychiatry, 26(2), 531-543 (2021)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03360
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Are young teens who use cannabis more depressed?
Yes. Cannabis-using adolescents in this study scored significantly higher on depression (d = 0.80) and hopelessness (d = 0.85), with hopelessness being the only factor uniquely associated with cannabis use after controlling for other variables.
Were cannabis-using teens more likely to attempt suicide?
Yes. Among cannabis users, 25.9% reported a suicide attempt compared to 7.7% of non-users, though this cross-sectional association cannot determine causation.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03360APA
Moreno-Mansilla, Sara; Ricarte, Jorge J; Hallford, David J. (2021). Cannabis use among early adolescents and transdiagnostic mental health risk factors.. Clinical child psychology and psychiatry, 26(2), 531-543. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359104521994637
MLA
Moreno-Mansilla, Sara, et al. "Cannabis use among early adolescents and transdiagnostic mental health risk factors.." Clinical child psychology and psychiatry, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359104521994637
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis use among early adolescents and transdiagnostic men..." RTHC-03360. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/moreno-mansilla-2021-cannabis-use-among-early
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.