Joint Effort, a mobile application to support cannabis use self-management and reinforce the use of protective behavioral strategies: development process and usability testing (Preprint)

Published: Jan. 31, 2025

Canada’s legalization of recreational cannabis use (CU) has made even more evident the need for innovative interventions promoting lower-risk CU. Young adults 18 to 25 are age group with highest prevalence Protective behavioral strategies (PBS) have been proven help manage CU and reduce negative consequences. To date, few focused on PBS. fill this gap, a mobile application (app) prototype using PBS as means influencing was developed young adults. describe development process usability testing Joint Effort, self-management app centered among adult past-month users (< 1 month). Intervention Mapping (IM) co-design approach were used. Six steps followed: 1) focus groups conducted identify needs preferences regarding interventions; 2) matrix change objectives used select target behaviors determinants; 3) theory-based intervention methods practical applications selected; 4) held validate structure examples tailored messages; 5) preliminary content created; 6) transposed prototype. Usability assessed through qualitative semi-structured interviews User Version Mobile Application Rating Scale (uMARS) completed by sample 20 university students mean 21.8 years (median: 22), which 70% women 75% undergrads. Qualitative data analyzed thematic analysis. Four themes identified from interviews: Effort visually pleasing easy use; well-adapted audience non-judgmental; customization functions appreciated; helpful relevant initiate behavior change. The obtained quality score 4.43/5.0 (SD: 0.53) per item uMARS. Mean scores five subscales: engagement (4.14/5 ±0.53), functionality (4.60/5 ±0.47), aesthetics (4.53/5 ±0.52), information (4.44/5 ±0.61), subjective items (3.36/5 ±0.53). Our findings highlight added value IM that emphasizes importance incorporating user feedback in apps. On strength results obtained, since into an iOS further larger-scale evaluations ongoing assess its acceptability, feasibility, efficacy.

Language: Английский

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Understanding youth and young adult cannabis use in Canada post-legalization: a scoping review on a public health issue

Substance Abuse Treatment Prevention and Policy, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 19(1)

Published: June 17, 2024

Abstract Background Canada legalized recreational cannabis in 2018, and one of the primary objectives Cannabis Act was to protect youth by reducing their access providing public education. has highest prevalence use worldwide, particularly among young adults under age 25. is linked with many adverse effects for including psychosis, anxiety, depression, respiratory distress, cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, impaired cognitive performance. Despite high evolution policies globally, significant knowledge research gaps remain regarding adult use. The aim this scoping review map extent, nature, range evidence available on since its legalization, order strengthen policies, services, treatments, training, education strategies. Methods Using a framework developed Arksey O’Malley, along PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we conducted rigorous search five academic databases: MEDLINE, Embase, APA PsycINFO, CINAHL Web Science Core Collection. We included empirical studies that collected data after legalization (October 2018) focused or < 30. Two reviewers independently screened articles two stages extracted relevant information from meeting inclusion criteria. Results Of 47 our criteria, 92% used quantitative methods, 6% were qualitative, 2% mixed-methods approach. Over two-thirds (68%) secondary data. These categorized into six focus areas: (1) prevalence, patterns, trends, (2) cannabis-related injuries emergency department (ED) visits, (3) rates patterns during pandemic, (4) perceptions use, (5) prevention tools, (6) offenses. Key findings reviewed include an increase 18-24-year-olds post-legalization, mixed results 18. ED visits intentional unintentional have increased children teens. Perception show mix concern normalization Though limited, are promising raising awareness. A decline offenses noted study. highlights several gaps, need more qualitative data, disaggregation demographic intervention research, comprehensive physical mental health impacts adults. Conclusion Maintaining approach critical, This involves implementing strategies minimize harms, enhancing education, minimizing commercialization, cannabis, promoting guidelines lower-risk harm reduction strategies, increasing training healthcare providers.

Language: Английский

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Perceptions, Experiences, and Patterns of Cannabis Use in Individuals with Mood and Anxiety Disorders in the Context of Cannabis Legalization and Medical Cannabis Program in Canada – A Qualitative Study

Pharmacopsychiatry, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 57(03), P. 141 - 151

Published: March 11, 2024

Abstract Introduction Perceptions of cannabis as a potential medical treatment for mood and anxiety disorders have been increasing in the context legalizations, availability, programs, though current evidence predominately indicates risks negative effects use (CU) on mental health outcomes. This study aims to understand motivations, perceptions, effects, patterns CU individuals with disorders. Methods Thirty-six adult patients diagnosed or disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder who were currently using completed an in-depth qualitative interview individual experiences, their CU. The thematic analysis focused phases sources products information. Results Reported motivations initiation included curiosity, peer pressure, dissatisfaction conventional treatments. Factors such psychotropic coping symptoms insomnia contributed continuation More including cognitive dysfunction, worsening mood, symptoms, acknowledged ongoing Concerning findings common before age 18, combined recreational CU, rare consultation professionals harms. Discussion Findings indicate complexity population. reported beneficial specific should be further investigated. emphasize patient-provider dialogue both Information from this can contribute inform development education, prevention, intervention strategies.

Language: Английский

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Courtesy stigma toward parents of adolescents with cannabis use disorder: examining the role of language and gender in a Canadian sample

Drugs Education Prevention and Policy, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 11

Published: April 8, 2025

Language: Английский

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Clinician perspectives on adolescent Cannabis-Related beliefs and behaviors following recreational cannabis legalization

Addictive Behaviors, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 156, P. 108046 - 108046

Published: April 27, 2024

Language: Английский

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Reconceptualizing cannabis use risks in the context of health and social inequities: Insights from a qualitative study with young people in Canada

International Journal of Drug Policy, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 104474 - 104474

Published: June 1, 2024

Cannabis became legal in Canada 2018. Since then, calls for research to evaluate the impact of legalization on youth have been at forefront public and academic discussions. Research addressing these has largely focused issues risk harm, with limited attention role social context shaping cannabis use. This paper presents findings a study that centered perspectives use health inequities. Between 2021 2022, we undertook an exploratory critical qualitative interview 56 from across who reported experiences or struggles, broadly self-defined. Our analysis followed reflexive thematic approach leveraged theoretical drug studies interrogate youths' variegated risks environments, whilst facilitating inquiry into their interface overlapping forms hardship inequity. We developed three interconnected themes: (i) as contextually situated; (ii) practice care; (iii) survival tool connection trauma violence. Findings within themes centre nexus intentionality agency narratives using situates with, response to, intersecting underscores opportunities reconsideration reconceptualization use, so approaches supporting are more resonant credible those experience offer direction policy programming, including decenter individual pathology, support harm reduction goals, further consider relationships between context, marginalization, oppression.

Language: Английский

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Reducing the harms of cannabis use in youth post-legalization: insights from Ontario youth, parents, and service providers

Harm Reduction Journal, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 21(1)

Published: Nov. 6, 2024

Abstract Background Canada has one of the highest prevalence cannabis use globally, particularly among young adults aged 20–24 (50%) and youth 16–19 (37%). In 2018, legalized recreational with aim protecting by restricting their access raising public awareness health risks. However, there been limited qualitative research on perceptions harms associated since legalization, which is crucial for developing effective harm reduction strategies. This study examined from perspectives youth, parents, service providers. We explored how participants described perceived risks or use, as well they own others’ approaches to reducing cannabis-related harms. Methods used a community-based participatory approach in partnership Families Addiction Recovery (FAR), national charity founded parents addiction issues. Virtual semi-structured interviews were conducted, data analyzed using thematic analysis. Results The included 88 three key groups ( n = 31 26 providers). Two main themes emerged regarding use: (1) concerns about harms, including addiction, brain development, impact family, various adverse effects areas such motivation, concentration, finances, employment, education, physical mental health; (2) minimization featuring conflicting messages, normalization, being less harmful than other substances. Additionally, two related identified: implementation reduction, challenges implementing approach. Specific each participant group noted, along structural barriers unavailable inaccessible services, easy cannabis, inadequate insufficient information lower-risk guidelines. Conclusions Youth significant concern that requires multi-pronged Developing youth-centered strategies recognize developmental needs vulnerabilities important role families, imperative.

Language: Английский

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The highs and lows of cannabis stigma: a vignette study of factors that influence stigma toward cannabis consumers

Drugs Education Prevention and Policy, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 14

Published: Aug. 19, 2024

Background Cannabis consumption has increased across all demographics following legalization in Canada. While cannabis is becoming increasingly more prevalent, prevailing stigma the community been highlighted as a concern. The purpose of this study was to determine context which Canadians stigmatize use inform policy and harm-reduction campaigns.

Language: Английский

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