A Qualitative Study of Cannabis Use and Family Dynamics Among Youth in Early Psychosis Programs
Journal of dual diagnosis June 16, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/15504263.2025.2517175 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 15 |
| Population | Youth ages 20–30 in Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) programs |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key findings | Most participants reported that cannabis contributed to tension and conflict with parents because of the risk of worsening psychosis, while some family members enabled use through role modeling, approval, and intra-family consumption. Some participants also described positive effects of cannabis on family bonding and closeness. |
Abstract
Abstract Objective Cannabis use contributes to negative psychosocial outcomes among youth in Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) programs and families are crucial to recovery. This study sought to understand how youth in EPI programs perceive their families to influence their cannabis use and how cannabis affects family relationships.
Methods: A qualitative approach and thematic analysis were used to investigate the perspectives of youth ages 20–30 in EPI programs (n = 15).
Results: Participants described parental disapproval toward cannabis use, intra-family consumption, family influence, changing parental attitudes, and increased closeness.
Conclusions: Most participants reported cannabis contributed to tension and conflicts with parents due to risk for exacerbating psychosis, though some family members enabled use through role modeling, approval, and intra-family consumption. Some noted positive effects of consumption on bonding and closeness. Research is needed to understand how parents can support their child’s recovery after cannabis-related psychosis, and prevalence and contributing factors behind intra-family consumption.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychoactive substances as a last resort—a qualitative study of self-treatment of migraine and cluster headaches Users of online forums discussing cluster headache and migraine treatments | 2017 | Qualitative thematic analysis | |
| Psychoactive drug or mystical incense? Overview of the online available information on Spice products Web pages related to Spice products | 2009 | Qualitative study | n = 200 |
| Patterns, Trends, and Meanings of Drug Use by Dance-drug Users in Edinburgh, Scotland Clubbers in clubs and pre-club bars | 2004 | Cross-sectional survey with focus groups | n = 124 |
| Fascination and Social Togetherness-Discussions about Spice Smoking on a Swedish Internet Forum. Swedish internet forum users who posted reports about Spice intoxication | 2013 | Qualitative study | n = 40 |
| Cannabis as entheogen: survey and interview data on the spiritual use of cannabis. Participants recruited from seven online communities, median age 33, 81% male | 2020 | Mixed methods (qualitative interviews and quantitative survey) | n = 319 |
Citations in the library
Cites 4
- Recommendations for Reducing the Risk of Cannabis Use-Related Adverse Psychosis Outcomes: A Public Mental Health-Oriented Evidence Review Journal of dual diagnosis July 3, 2023
- Motivations for cannabis use in youth with first episode psychosis: a scoping review Psychosis November 12, 2021
- Effects of continuation, frequency, and type of cannabis use on relapse in the first 2 years after onset of psychosis: an observational study. The Lancet Psychiatry October 1, 2016
- Cannabis as a risk factor for psychosis: systematic review Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2005