Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is commonly comorbid with cannabis use disorder (CUD). One explanation for this comorbidity is the self-medication model, which suggests that individuals may use cannabis to cope with or reduce PTSD symptoms. This behavior, referred to as trauma-related cannabis use to cope (TRCU), may differ across gender and racial groups; however, research on these variations remains limited. The present study investigated gender and racial differences in TRCU, as well as their potential moderating effects on the relationship between PTSD symptoms and TRCU. Participants were 596 diverse college undergraduates (76.9% women, 18.9% men; 35.8% Black, 49% White, 6.6% Other). We examined mean differences in TRCU across race and gender and assessed whether these variables moderated the association between PTSD symptom severity and TRCU. Results revealed that Black participants reported significantly higher levels of TRCU (M = 31.2) compared to White participants (M = 27.2; t = -2.61, p = .007). Additionally, the relationship between PTSD symptoms and TRCU was stronger for Black participants (β = .50) than for White participants (β = .34), with moderation analyses confirming a significant interaction (β = .10, p = .007). No significant differences in TRCU levels or moderation effects were found by gender. These findings underscore the importance of considering racial differences in trauma-coping behaviors and emphasize the need for culturally responsive interventions. Future research should further explore how racial and ethnic backgrounds influence the use of cannabis for trauma-related coping
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Sage Hawn
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Psychology
College Affiliation
College of Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
Psychology
Upload File
wf_yes
Included in
60 - Racial and Gender Differences in Trauma-Related Cannabis Use: Examining PTSD Coping Mechanism in a Diverse College Sample
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is commonly comorbid with cannabis use disorder (CUD). One explanation for this comorbidity is the self-medication model, which suggests that individuals may use cannabis to cope with or reduce PTSD symptoms. This behavior, referred to as trauma-related cannabis use to cope (TRCU), may differ across gender and racial groups; however, research on these variations remains limited. The present study investigated gender and racial differences in TRCU, as well as their potential moderating effects on the relationship between PTSD symptoms and TRCU. Participants were 596 diverse college undergraduates (76.9% women, 18.9% men; 35.8% Black, 49% White, 6.6% Other). We examined mean differences in TRCU across race and gender and assessed whether these variables moderated the association between PTSD symptom severity and TRCU. Results revealed that Black participants reported significantly higher levels of TRCU (M = 31.2) compared to White participants (M = 27.2; t = -2.61, p = .007). Additionally, the relationship between PTSD symptoms and TRCU was stronger for Black participants (β = .50) than for White participants (β = .34), with moderation analyses confirming a significant interaction (β = .10, p = .007). No significant differences in TRCU levels or moderation effects were found by gender. These findings underscore the importance of considering racial differences in trauma-coping behaviors and emphasize the need for culturally responsive interventions. Future research should further explore how racial and ethnic backgrounds influence the use of cannabis for trauma-related coping