Citation

Papinczak ZE, Connor JP, Feeney GF, Young RM, Gullo MJ. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2016; 170: 142-146.

Affiliation

Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia; Alcohol and Drug Assessment Unit, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia. Electronic address: m.gullo@uq.edu.au.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.11.005

PMID

27894043

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Relatively few cannabis dependent individuals seek treatment and little is known about the determinants of treatment seeking. Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) provides a useful framework for examining human behaviour and motivation which may be helpful in explaining treatment seeking. This study examined the differences in cannabis outcome expectancies and cannabis refusal self-efficacy between treatment seekers and non-treatment seekers with cannabis dependence.

DESIGN: Non-treatment seekers were referred to an illicit drug diversion program. Treatment seekers commenced an outpatient cannabis treatment program and completed a comprehensive assessment that included measures of cannabis outcome expectancies and refusal self-efficacy. SETTING: A public hospital alcohol and drug outpatient clinic. PARTICIPANTS: 269 non-treatment seekers and 195 individuals commencing cannabis dependence treatment. MEASUREMENTS: The Cannabis Expectancy Questionnaire (CEQ), Cannabis Refusal Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (CRSEQ), Severity of Dependence Scale - Cannabis (SDS-C), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and Readiness to Change Questionnaire (RTC) were completed.

FINDINGS: Treatment seekers had significantly higher levels of negative cannabis outcome expectancies and significantly lower levels of emotional relief refusal self-efficacy (belief in ability to resist using cannabis when experiencing negative affect) (ps<0.001). Treatment seekers had significantly higher levels of psychological distress and self-perceived cannabis dependence compared to non-treatment seekers (ps<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: High negative cannabis outcome expectancies and low emotional relief refusal self-efficacy may play a key role in motivation to seek treatment.

Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en