Abstract/Description/Artist Statement
The perception that close friends frequently use substances (i.e., descriptive norms) has been shown to increase personal use frequency and subsequent negative consequences. Within alcohol literature, protective behavioral strategies (PBS), actions aimed at reducing negative consequences of substance use (e.g., avoiding use before work), have been shown to moderate the effect of this relationship. However, this relationship in cannabis use remains unexplored. Thus, the current study examines PBS use as a moderator between descriptive norms and cannabis use frequency. We hypothesize that a positive association between descriptive norms and cannabis frequency will be weakened by greater PBS use. Undergraduate past-month cannabis users (N=1049, Mage=21.18, SDage=5.05, 73.2% Cisgender women, 40.7% White) completed measures of descriptive norms of their three closest friends, their use of Marijuana Protective Behavioral Strategies (PBSM-17), and past-month Marijuana use (DUQ). Results of a multiple regression indicated a main effect of descriptive norms (b=0.31, p< .001) and PBS (b=-0.53, p< .001) on cannabis use frequency. PBS moderated the association between norms and frequency such that the relationship was stronger at lower levels of PBS (b=0.44, p< .001) and weaker at higher levels (b=0.18, p< .001). Findings indicated that greater PBS weakens the influence of perceived close friend use on personal cannabis frequency. This highlights PBS as a potential intervention target in heavier users who are influenced by social norms. With current literature indicating that men engage in less PBS and experience more negative consequences than women, future research should examine the impact of sex differences on PBS employment within this model.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Cathy Lau-Barraco
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Email
cbarraco@odu.edu
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Department of Psychology
College/School Affiliation
College of Sciences
Student Level Group
Undergraduate
Presentation Type
Poster
Included in
Does the use of protective behavioral strategies moderate the relationship between perceived peer cannabis use and personal use?
The perception that close friends frequently use substances (i.e., descriptive norms) has been shown to increase personal use frequency and subsequent negative consequences. Within alcohol literature, protective behavioral strategies (PBS), actions aimed at reducing negative consequences of substance use (e.g., avoiding use before work), have been shown to moderate the effect of this relationship. However, this relationship in cannabis use remains unexplored. Thus, the current study examines PBS use as a moderator between descriptive norms and cannabis use frequency. We hypothesize that a positive association between descriptive norms and cannabis frequency will be weakened by greater PBS use. Undergraduate past-month cannabis users (N=1049, Mage=21.18, SDage=5.05, 73.2% Cisgender women, 40.7% White) completed measures of descriptive norms of their three closest friends, their use of Marijuana Protective Behavioral Strategies (PBSM-17), and past-month Marijuana use (DUQ). Results of a multiple regression indicated a main effect of descriptive norms (b=0.31, p< .001) and PBS (b=-0.53, p< .001) on cannabis use frequency. PBS moderated the association between norms and frequency such that the relationship was stronger at lower levels of PBS (b=0.44, p< .001) and weaker at higher levels (b=0.18, p< .001). Findings indicated that greater PBS weakens the influence of perceived close friend use on personal cannabis frequency. This highlights PBS as a potential intervention target in heavier users who are influenced by social norms. With current literature indicating that men engage in less PBS and experience more negative consequences than women, future research should examine the impact of sex differences on PBS employment within this model.