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Use of marijuana and changing risk perceptions
1Department of Health Science, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA. Ray_Merrill@byu.edu.
American Journal of Health Behavior
|March 6, 2015
Summary
Adolescents who perceived marijuana as not harmful were significantly more likely to use it. This perception was more common in males, Hispanics, and those without both parents, increasing with grade level.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Health
- Substance Use Research
- Public Health
Background:
- Adolescent marijuana use is a significant public health concern.
- Understanding perceptions of harm is crucial for targeted prevention strategies.
- Previous research indicates a link between perceived risk and actual use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify demographic and social factors associated with adolescents perceiving marijuana as not harmful.
- To explore the relationship between perceived marijuana risk and actual marijuana use in adolescents.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the SHARP survey (2009, 2011, 2013) in Utah school districts.
- Inclusion of students from grades 6, 8, 10, and 12.
- Statistical analysis to determine factors influencing perception of marijuana's harm.
Main Results:
- Adolescents perceiving marijuana as not harmful were over 9 times more likely to have used it.
- Higher perception of no risk was observed in males, Hispanic youth, and those not living with both parents.
- Perception of no risk increased with school grade and decreased with higher guardian education.
Conclusions:
- Adolescents at higher risk for marijuana use also exhibited a greater likelihood of perceiving it as not harmful.
- Findings highlight the need for tailored prevention messages for at-risk adolescent groups.
- Perception of harm is a critical factor in adolescent marijuana initiation and continuation.