Young Parents' Cannabis Use Patterns Vary Dramatically by Demographics and Life Situation
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.
Quick Facts
What This Study 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.
Key Numbers
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 They Did This
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.
Why This Research 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 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.
What This Study Doesn't 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.
Questions This Raises
- ?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?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Educated fathers had the most consequences and DUI risk
- Evidence Grade:
- Good sample size with latent class analysis, but cross-sectional design and convenience sampling limit conclusions.
- Study Age:
- 2026 study using 2023 data.
- Original Title:
- Parental sociodemographic profiles in relation to mental health, cannabis use motives, and cannabis use behaviors among a sample of US young adult parents.
- Published In:
- Addictive behaviors, 176, 108635 (2026)
- Authors:
- Romm, Katelyn F(14), Speer, Morgan(10), McCready, Darcey M(11), Thakkar, Shriya, Chakraborty, Rishika, Cavazos-Rehg, Patricia A, Berg, Carla J
- Database ID:
- RTHC-08587
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Which parents use the most cannabis?
Younger single mothers with less education had the highest use rates and were most likely to use cannabis for coping with mental health symptoms.
Who is most at risk for cannabis problems?
Surprisingly, older educated married fathers showed the greatest cannabis-related consequences and highest rates of driving under the influence, despite not being the most frequent users.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-08587APA
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
MLA
Romm, Katelyn F, et al. "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, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2026.108635
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Parental sociodemographic profiles in relation to mental hea..." RTHC-08587. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/romm-2026-parental-sociodemographic-profiles-in
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.