A longitudinal study of cannabis use initiation among high school students: Effects of social anxiety, expectancies, peers and alcohol

J Adolesc. 2015 Jun:41:43-52. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2015.02.009. Epub 2015 Mar 23.

Abstract

This study identified protective and risk factors of cannabis use initiation, including expectancies and social anxiety. A questionnaire was completed twice by 877 teenagers. Logistic regressions, mediation and moderation analyses were performed. Significant risk factors were alcohol use, peer users, perceptual enhancement, and craving expectancies. Protective factors were negative behavior expectancies and social anxiety. Social anxiety protected from initiation through the mediating role of perceptual enhancement and craving expectancies, whatever the role of peer users and alcohol use. Findings are discussed in terms of risk and protection, in an overall approach including internalizing factors. Results support the identification of an internalizing profile of adolescents for prevention or treatment and the importance of social anxiety and expectancies in intervention.

Keywords: Cannabis initiation; Expectancies; Longitudinal; Predictors; Social anxiety.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology
  • Alcohol Drinking / psychology
  • Anxiety / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internal-External Control
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Marijuana Smoking / prevention & control
  • Marijuana Smoking / psychology*
  • Peer Group*
  • Reinforcement, Psychology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Social Behavior*
  • Students / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires