(PS14-39) Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Levels in Trauma-exposed Cannabis Users and Non-users

Prior research has shown that individuals may use cannabis for perceived coping and medicinal purposes. For individuals who have experienced a traumatic event, cannabis use may be perceived as helpful in coping with posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, cannabis use may actually exacerbate PTSS. As such, the current study cross-sectionally investigated differences in PTSS between trauma-exposed cannabis users and non-users among a diverse undergraduate sample. We hypothesized higher levels of PTSD would be found in cannabis users vs. non-users, after accounting for number of traumas experienced and negative affect due to established associations with higher levels of PTSS.  Participants (N=394) for this cross-sectional study were recruited from a larger study at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas undergraduate psychology research pool. Eligibility criteria included having reported a minimum of one traumatic experience as assessed by the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 (LEC-5). Study participants (65% female; Mage = 19; Black or African American [11.9%], Other [17.2%], Asian [22.8%], Hispanic or Latino [34.8%], White or Caucasian [40.1%]) were administered self-report measures assessing posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5; PCL-5), number of traumatic events experienced (LEC-5), negative affect (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule Short Form, negative affect subscale; PANAS-SF), and cannabis use (Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test, item 1; CUDIT). Using an analysis of covariance, we examined differences in PTSS amongst cannabis users and non-users, controlling for number of traumas, and negative affect. Analyses revealed statistically significant differences in PTSS between non-cannabis (M=25.3, SD=19.1) and cannabis users (M=35.4, SD=19.6). The covariates, number of traumas and negative affect, were significantly related to PTSS total (F(1, 390) = 36.74, p< 0.001; F(1,390)= 180.09, p< 0.001). There was also a significant effect of cannabis use on PTSS after controlling for the number of traumatic events experienced and negative affect (F(1,390) =12.14, p< 0.001). To our knowledge, these findings are the first to compare PTSS levels among trauma-exposed cannabis users and non-users in a younger and more diverse sample. Findings revealed cannabis users reported elevated PTSS compared to non-users. Furthermore, trauma-exposed individuals who identified as cannabis users on average exceeded the clinically significant cutoff score for PTSD. These findings suggest that in trauma-exposed populations, cannabis use could be a correlate of PTSS. Future prospective research could help clarify whether cannabis use may be an etiological factor exacerbating PTSS. Pending such research, cannabis use may be an important clinical feature to assess and target in PTSD treatment.