Keywords

adverse childhood events, cannabis-related problems

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with substance use problems, however, few studies have examined the mechanisms underlying this relationship. Research has found that cannabis use motives may mediate the association between ACEs and cannabis-related problems among young adults. However, research has not identified the affective components driving coping motives. Further, higher instances of ACEs predict an increased tendency to experience internalized shame. Coping with shame may be the mechanism linking ACEs to cannabis-related problems. Data were collected using Prolific, an online crowdsourcing platform. Participants were young adults (n = 155, 61.9% Female, 56.8% White) ages 18-29 years (M =22.8, SD = 3.01), who used cannabis in the past year. A serial mediation model examined whether cannabis use coping motives and shame mediate the association between ACEs and cannabis-related problems 6-months later. The overall model showed good fit to the data (χ2(8) =14.30, p=.07, CFI=.96, SRMR=.04, RSMEA=.07). There was a significant indirect effect from ACEs to cannabis-related problems (IND=0.06; 95% CI=0.01 to 0.16) through internalized shame and cannabis-use coping motives. The model accounted for 41% of the variance in cannabis-related problems. Findings suggest that individuals who reported greater ACEs were more likely to endorse cannabis-use coping motives, and this association was fully mediated by internalized shame. Coping motives in turn were associated with greater cannabis-related problems, and coping motives fully mediated the link between shame and problems. Interventions that target reduction in maladaptive affective responses to ACEs, such as shame may be a promising avenue for cannabis use disorder treatment.

Completion Date

2024

Semester

Summer

Committee Chair

Meshesha, Lidia

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree Program

Clinical Psychology

Format

application/pdf

Language

English

Rights

In copyright

Release Date

8-15-2027

Length of Campus-only Access

3 years

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Campus-only Access)

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

Accessibility Status

Meets minimum standards for ETDs/HUTs

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Restricted to the UCF community until 8-15-2027; it will then be open access.

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