Among 76 regular cannabis users aged 18-25, the strongest predictors of cannabis use disorder severity were use frequency, expectations of cognitive impairment, self-reported metacognitive deficits, and anxiety.
Addiction counselors, young adult cannabis users, and researchers studying cannabis use disorder risk factors.
Cognitive self-perception was a stronger predictor than actual cognitive performance
What the researchers found
Of 71 candidate variables, five predicted CUD severity: more frequent cannabis use in the past 90 days, greater expectations that cannabis causes cognitive/behavioral impairment, greater self-reported metacognitive deficits, greater anxiety, and lower reaction time variability on sustained attention (though this last variable was less robust).
Why it matters
Rather than assuming what drives cannabis use disorder severity, this study let the data identify the strongest correlates. The finding that cognitive self-perception matters more than actual cognitive performance suggests that how users think about their impairment matters.
The numbers in context
76 participants ages 18-25. 71 candidate variables examined. 27 significant univariately. 5 in final multivariable model: use frequency, cognitive impairment expectancy, metacognitive deficits, anxiety, reaction time variability.
How the study worked
Data-driven, hypothesis-free analysis of 76 young adults (ages 18-25) who used cannabis at least weekly. Seventy-one candidate variables spanning demographics, mood, personality, substance use, and cognition were examined. Stepwise multivariable selection with internal validation.
What this study cannot tell us
Small sample (n=76). Cross-sectional design. All participants were already weekly users, so results may not generalize to less frequent users. Hypothesis-free approach may miss theoretically important variables.
How to read the evidence
Preliminary: small cross-sectional study of 76 participants, though the data-driven approach adds methodological rigor.
When this study was published
Published in 2019.
The bigger picture
As cannabis becomes more normalized, identifying who develops problematic use becomes critical. These predictors could help screen young adults who are at risk for developing more severe cannabis use disorder.
Questions still open
- Would interventions targeting cognitive self-perception or anxiety reduce CUD severity? Do these predictors hold in larger, more diverse samples? Are the same factors relevant for older adults?
Common questions
What are metacognitive deficits?
Does more frequent use cause worse disorder, or vice versa?
Read the original research
Cross-domain correlates of cannabis use disorder severity among young adults.
Addictive behaviors, 93, 212-218
Citation
Schuster, Randi Melissa; Hareli, Maya; Moser, Amelia D; Lowman, Kelsey; Gilman, Jodi; Ulysse, Christine; Schoenfeld, David; Evins, A Eden. (2019). Cross-domain correlates of cannabis use disorder severity among young adults.. Addictive behaviors, 93, 212-218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.01.029
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