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

Presenting Author Name/s

Daniela Chaname

Faculty Advisor/Mentor

Sage Hawn

Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department

Psychology

College Affiliation

College of Sciences

Presentation Type

Poster

Disciplines

Psychology

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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