Younger single mothers with less education had the highest rates of cannabis use and coping motives, while older educated fathers had the most use consequences and driving under the influence.
Pediatric and family health professionals, parenting researchers, and public health policymakers.
Educated fathers had the most consequences and DUI risk
What the researchers found
Four distinct parent profiles emerged. Younger single/cohabiting mothers with less education (Class 2, 37.9%) and older single mothers with 3+ children (Class 4, 13.3%) had highest cannabis use odds. Among users, Classes 2 and 3 used most frequently and had greatest coping motives. Paradoxically, older married educated fathers (Class 1) showed the greatest cannabis-related consequences and driving under the influence.
Why it matters
The finding that educated fathers have the most consequences and DUI risk despite not being the most frequent users challenges assumptions about which parent demographics are most at risk from cannabis use.
The numbers in context
1,247 US young adult parents. Class 1 (older married fathers, 18.4%): most consequences and DUI. Class 2 (younger single mothers, 37.9%): highest use odds and coping motives. Class 3 (older married mothers, 30.3%): more frequent use. Class 4 (older single mothers with 3+ kids, 13.3%): elevated use odds.
How the study worked
Survey of 1,247 US young adult parents in 2023. Latent class analysis identified four sociodemographic profiles. Multivariable regressions examined associations with cannabis use, motives, consequences, and DUI.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional survey cannot establish causation. Self-reported cannabis use and consequences. Online convenience sample may not be representative of all young parents. Latent class membership is probabilistic.
How to read the evidence
Good sample size with latent class analysis, but cross-sectional design and convenience sampling limit conclusions.
When this study was published
2026 study using 2023 data.
The bigger picture
Cannabis use among parents is increasing but poorly understood. The disconnect between who uses most frequently (mothers) and who experiences the most consequences (fathers) suggests different patterns of use context and risk.
Questions still open
- Why do educated fathers experience more consequences despite potentially lower use frequency? Could targeted interventions for coping-motivated parental cannabis use improve both parent and child outcomes?
Common questions
Which parents use the most cannabis?
Who is most at risk for cannabis problems?
Read the original research
Parental sociodemographic profiles in relation to mental health, cannabis use motives, and cannabis use behaviors among a sample of US young adult parents.
Addictive behaviors, 176, 108635
Citation
Romm, Katelyn F; Speer, Morgan; McCready, Darcey M; Thakkar, Shriya; Chakraborty, Rishika; Cavazos-Rehg, Patricia A; Berg, Carla J. (2026). Parental sociodemographic profiles in relation to mental health, cannabis use motives, and cannabis use behaviors among a sample of US young adult parents.. Addictive behaviors, 176, 108635. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2026.108635
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