(PS1-5) Associations Between Coping Strategies and Cannabis Use Frequency and Negative Consequences Among Young Adults

Cannabis is an increasingly used substance among young adults and is commonly reported as being used to cope with stress. Certain coping styles (e.g., avoidant coping) may increase cannabis use and negative consequences, whereas others may be protective against cannabis related harms (e.g., problem-focused coping). Coping motivated cannabis use is also strongly associated with cannabis use consequences. Thus, gaining a better understanding of other coping strategies that may serve as risk and protective factors for cannabis use is important for mitigating cannabis related harm. Participants (n=779; ages 22-29; female=436, 56%; non-White=313, 40%; Hispanic/Latin=71, 9%) completed 24 months of monthly online surveys for a longitudinal study on social role transitions and alcohol use. Two hierarchical linear regression models were conducted to examine coping strategies (Brief COPE; Carver et al., 1997; month 12) as a predictor of cannabis-use and negative consequences cross-sectionally (month 12) and prospectively (month 24). The Brief-COPE factors were organized into the following subscales based on prior work: problem focused, emotion focused, and avoidant. We hypothesized that emotion-focused and avoidant coping would be associated with higher cannabis use frequency and more negative consequences. Exploratory analyses were conducted to determine which of the 14 Brief COPE strategies (e.g., denial, humor, venting) were associated with outcomes. Approximately 27% (n=211) and 24% (n=189) of the sample reported cannabis use at 12 and 24 months respectively. After controlling for age, sex, education status and month 12 cannabis use frequency, avoidant coping predicted more cannabis use in the past month (p=.001) and more negative consequences (p < .001) cross-sectionally, but not prospectively. There were no other significant associations between coping subscales and cannabis use outcomes cross-sectionally or prospectively. When the 14 strategies were entered simultaneously in the model, venting (p=.014) and substance use (p < .001) were positively associated with past month use frequency cross-sectionally; and denial (p < .001) was negatively associated with use frequency cross-sectionally. Venting (p=.034), self-blame (p=.002), and substance use (p < .001) were associated with more cannabis-related consequences cross-sectionally, and denial (p=.008) was associated with less consequences cross-sectionally. Longitudinally, there were no significant associations between coping strategies and use frequency, but instrumental support (p=.024), humor (p=.006), acceptance (p=.006), and behavioral disengagement (p=.027) were associated with more cannabis-related consequences, whereas self-blame (p < .001) was associated with less. The varied patterns between cross-sectional and longitudinal results suggest that some coping strategies may be adaptive/maladaptive in the moment, while others may be more adaptive/maladaptive long term. Discerning risk and protective factors will help identify who is most vulnerable to cannabis-related harm and improve understanding of how to ultimately inform prevention and intervention efforts.