Cannabis use and related harms in the transition to young adulthood: a longitudinal study of Australian secondary school students

J Adolesc. 2013 Jun;36(3):519-27. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2013.03.001. Epub 2013 Mar 20.

Abstract

The current study documents the changing rates of cannabis use, misuse and cannabis-related social harms among Australian adolescents as they grow into young adulthood. It utilised data from a longitudinal study of young people at ages 15, 16, 17, and 19. The rates of cannabis use were found to increase as participants aged; past year use increased from 7.5% at age 15 to 29.8% at age 19. Further, at ages 17 and 19, cannabis use was more prevalent among males than females. Among those who reported cannabis use, the rates of cannabis-related harms were low to moderate, and did not increase with age in the same manner as rates of cannabis use. The most prevalent self-reported cannabis-related harm was anxiety/depression; affecting between 20-30% of the cannabis users at each age. These findings may assist in understanding the extent of cannabis-related problems among youth, and in planning relevant services.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Development
  • Anxiety / epidemiology
  • Australia / epidemiology
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Marijuana Abuse / epidemiology*
  • Prevalence
  • Sex Distribution
  • Students / statistics & numerical data*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult