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Cannabis Use in Adolescents: The Impact of Risk and Protective Factors and Social Functioning

NCJ Number
213149
Journal
Drug and Alcohol Review Volume: 24 Issue: 6 Dated: November 2005 Pages: 483-488
Author(s)
David Best; Samantha Gross; Victoria Manning; Michael Gossop; John Witton; John Strang
Date Published
November 2005
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study tested the social and familial risk and protective factors relating to cannabis use in adolescents.
Abstract
Research data suggests the importance of social factors in understanding the role of risk and protective factors in the initiation of and continued use of cannabis among adolescents. Early onset, predicted by social networks, was linked to more frequent use of cannabis which appeared to be sustained by less time spent with parents and more with drug-using peers. A more in-depth analysis is recommended of heavy cannabis users in school settings to assess the characteristics of their use, its links to other problem behaviors, and the social and demographic factors that support it. This study focused on cannabis use and examined frequency of use of cannabis, as well as lifetime experience of cannabis use as a function of social behavior and onset risks for alcohol and tobacco, as well as cannabis. The study tested the risk and protective effects associated with current social networks, and the relationship between networks, onset ages for drinking and smoking, and the onset and subsequent frequency of use of cannabis within a United Kingdom context. Tables, references