Cannabis use and disorders associated with it can negatively impact one’s relationships and social functioning.
In previous research, cannabis use was linked to difficulties in adapting to new social roles and engaging in (romantic) relationships. Even if social functioning seems a relevant target in cannabis use or substance use in general, some aspects of social relations are incredibly understudied. RAD-Blogger Mili Rubio summarizes a recent study that digs deeper into the thought-provoking link between cannabis use, social support, and how such a relationship might depend on one’s social networks.
CORE
Gliksberg et. al (2021) investigated the topic by means of a large survey that was part of the 2012-2013 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (NESARC-III). They concluded that those using more cannabis tended to have fewer social connections and social groups, and this explained in turn why they felt less supported. The reported research highlights the important role of social connections in cannabis use and cannabis use disorders – providing relevant targets for interventions and treatment. It should be considered that this is a cross-sectional study (only one measure was used), so we cannot conclude whether social support is affected by cannabis use (either directly or through social networks) or whether feeling less supported might actually impact cannabis use. This blogger wants to stress the need for longitudinal research before drawing any definite conclusions!
RESEARCH METHODS
WHAT?
- The researchers explored the connection between cannabis use, cannabis use disorder (CUD), and feeling supported by others.
- They also looked into whether this relationship can be better explained through one’s social network size (number of social connections) and diversity (groups an individual belongs to).
WHO?
- Adults from the United States aged 18 years old or above, of which 2,729 were cannabis users, 972 were cannabis users who were classified as CUD, and the remaining 32,523 participants were non-cannabis users.
HOW?
By means of a questionnaire that included the following questions/questionnaires:
- Cannabis use and CUD: participants were asked about cannabis use in the past 12 months. For past-year CUD diagnoses, the researchers used a clinical interview for epidemiological studies.
- Perceived Social Support: a questionnaire that measured different aspects of social support: (1) Practical help, (2) sharing one’s problems, (3) having a group of people one “belongs” to.
- Social network size: defined as the number of people participants interacted with in the last two weeks;
- Social diversity: defined as the number of social groups the participant interacted with.
FINDINGS
- More cannabis use was related to having fewer social contacts and social groups one belonged to, which in turn was linked to feeling less socially supported in general and concerning practical help specifically.
- The previous relation between cannabis use and practical social support worked (partially) through having fewer social contacts and the number of social groups one belonged to.
This sci-fly was written by Milagros Rubio (Radboud University) for RAD-blog, the blog about smoking, alcohol, drugs and diet.
DETAILS
Gliksberg, O., Livne, O., Lev-Ran, S., Rehm, J., Hasson-Ohayon, I., & Feingold, D. (2021). The association between cannabis use and perceived social support: The mediating role of decreased social network.
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 1-14.
