Association between problematic internet use and depressive symptoms among individuals at high-risk of cannabis use...

Cannabis use disorder affects a substantial proportion of the population and is often accompanied by mental health comorbidities, including depressive symptoms and problematic Internet use (PIU). This study explores the association between PIU and depressive symptoms among adults at high-risk of cannabis use disorder, a relationship insufficiently explored despite the high prevalence of these conditions in this population.

We conducted a cross-sectional, correlational study using data from the "Cannabis Use, Mental Health, and Problematic Internet Use in Quebec (Canada)" study. Included were Quebec (Canada) adults at high-risk of cannabis use disorder. First, we described and compared the characteristics of participants with and without PIU; second, we used multivariable logistic regression to model the association between PIU and depressive symptoms while controlling for various sociodemographic and clinical factors.

Among 874 participants, 93 (10.6%) had PIU, and 232 (26.5%) reported depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were significantly more prevalent among those with PIU (58.1%) than among those without PIU (22.8%). The PIU group predominantly consisted of young adults, males, single persons, employed individuals, and those with higher incomes. This group also exhibited problematic use of alcohol and other substances and had a higher median score for anxiety symptoms. Our regression model showed that PIU was significantly associated with depressive symptoms (OR = 2.19 [1.15-4.19]; p = .018).

Our findings emphasize an emerging public health concern and stress the need for further investigation into this association within the context of high-risk of cannabis use disorders in Quebec (Canada) and other sociocultural settings.