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Published on: August 18, 2020
Treatment seeking in cannabis dependence: The role of social cognition
Zoe E Papinczak1, Jason P Connor2, Gerald F X Feeney3
1Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia; School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia.
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.
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