Citation

Pilin MA, Robinson JM, Young K, Krank MD. Addict. Behav. Rep. 2022; 15: e100425.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.abrep.2022.100425

PMID

35464124

PMCID

PMC9020124

Abstract

AIMS: Much research indicates that an individual's personality impacts the initiation and escalation of substance use and problems in youth. The acquired-preparedness model suggests that personality influences substance use by modifying learning about substances, which then affects substance use. The current study used longitudinal data to test whether automatic cannabis-related cognitions (memory associations and outcome expectancy liking) mediate the relationship between four personality traits with later cannabis use.

METHODS: The study focused on initiation of use in a sample of adolescents who had not previously used (n = 670).

RESULTS: A structural equation model supported a full mediation effect and the hypothesis that personality affects cannabis use in youth by influencing automatic memory associations and outcome expectancy liking. Further findings from the same model also indicated a mediation effect of these cognitions in the relationship between age and cannabis use.

CONCLUSION: The findings of the study support the acquired-preparedness model where personality influences automatic associations in the context of dual-processing theories of substance use.

Language: en

Keywords

Adolescents; Cognition; Cannabis; Personality, dual processing; Substance use