Psychosocial Determinants of Cannabis Dependence: A Systematic Review of the Literature
BACKGROUND:
Many
studies have examined factors associated with the first onset of cannabis use and abuse. Currently, there is relatively
little research regarding conditions under which cannabis dependence is more likely to emerge. Although
previous studies have examined different potential determinants of cannabis dependence, to our knowledge, a systematic
review is lacking.
AIMS:
The study
aims to identify recent findings regarding psychosocial determinants of cannabis dependence and to summarize them
systematically.
METHODS:
A
literature search in 4 databases - Embase, Medline, PsycINFO and PSYNDEX - was
conducted. Searches were limited to publications between 2000 and April 2014,
English and German as languages and humans as study subjects.
RESULTS:
Our
search detected a total of 10,568 studies. Twenty-six studies finally met
inclusion criteria. Consumption patterns such as a regularcannabis use
independent of social context and an early onset of use (11-15 years) were
correlates of cannabis dependence.
Moreover, early reactions to cannabis use
and coping-oriented use motives explained additional variance. Stress factors
and critical life events such as parental separation and early parental death
as well as mental and social conflicts have also been linked with development
of cannabis dependence. Additionally, comorbid mental
disorders correlated with cannabis dependence.
CONCLUSION:
Numerous
factors were shown to have an impact on transition to cannabis dependence. In particular, a wide range of
mental disorders has been linked to an elevated risk of becoming dependent. The
development of a dependence syndrome seems to be associated with diverse
processes, in which social, biological and intra-individual factors interact in
a complex manner. Nevertheless, the link between cannabisdependence
and predisposing factors could not be resolved convincingly by most studies due
to methodological weaknesses regarding dependence criteria.
- 1Department of Psychiatry, Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research of Hamburg University, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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