Among 4,404 Irish adolescents, peer cannabis use was the strongest risk factor (10x higher odds).
Parents, schools, and prevention program designers.
Peers who use cannabis increased a teen's odds of use by 10x
What the researchers found
Current use prevalence: 7.3%. Peer use aOR 10.17; parental ambivalence aOR 3.69; non-harmful perception aOR 2.32; other substance use aOR 2.67-3.15; peer pressure aOR 1.85; low supervision aOR 1.11.
Why it matters
Peer influence dwarfs all other risk factors, suggesting community-level approaches may work better than individual ones.
The numbers in context
4,404 adolescents; 7.3% current use; peer use aOR 10.17; parental ambivalence aOR 3.69
How the study worked
Secondary analysis of Planet Youth survey (2021), 4,404 adolescents aged 15-16 in Ireland.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional. Self-reported. Irish context.
How to read the evidence
Large population survey but cross-sectional.
When this study was published
Published in 2024 with 2021 data.
The bigger picture
The Iceland Model (Planet Youth) has shown success through community-level interventions. This data supports that.
Questions still open
- Would targeting parental attitudes reduce teen use?
- How does peer influence compare across countries?
Common questions
Biggest risk factor for teen cannabis use?
Do parents matter?
Read the original research
Risk and protective factors for cannabis use in adolescence: a population-based survey in schools.
Irish journal of psychological medicine, 1-9
Citation
O'Dowd, Teresa M; Fleury, Ronan; Power, Emmet; Dooley, Niamh; Quinn, Laura; Petropoulos, Stephen; Healy, Colm; Smyth, Bobby; Cannon, Mary. (2024). Risk and protective factors for cannabis use in adolescence: a population-based survey in schools.. Irish journal of psychological medicine, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1017/ipm.2024.28
Explore the wider topic
- How to Talk to Your Teenager About Weed (Without Losing Them)
- My Kid's Friends Smoke Weed: A Parent's Guide
- I Smoke Weed But Don't Want My Kids To: Navigating the Hypocrisy
- Quitting Weed as a Parent: Why It Is the Hardest and Most Important Quit
- Quitting Weed as a Teen or Young Adult
- My Kid Is Smoking Weed: A Parent's Guide