Ethics code: IR.UT.PSYEDU.REC.1401.071
Samira Mortazavifar 
, Seyyed Saied Pournaghash Tehrani * 1, Masoud Gholamali Lavasani , Tahereh Dehdari
, Seyyed Saied Pournaghash Tehrani * 1, Masoud Gholamali Lavasani , Tahereh Dehdari
Abstract: (107 Views)
Background & Objectives: The evidence extracted from the comprehensive analyses indicates a considerable increase in the prevalence of cannabis consumption in Iran. The use of cannabis can lead to various negative consequences for users, such as depression, anxiety, aggressive behavior, psychosis, self-harming behaviors, and suicide. Identifying the factors influencing the tendency to use cannabinoid substances can assist the healthcare system and professionals in providing better services to consumers of these substances. While the identification of factors influencing the tendency to use cannabinoid substances can be quantitatively and qualitatively feasible, qualitative studies allow experts and policymakers to deeply and comprehensively examine the influential factors and become informed about individuals’ perspectives, experiences, and attitudes towards a phenomenon. Given the increasing trend of cannabinoid substance consumption in the country and the limitations of quantitative studies in identifying a wide range of influential factors, this research aims to identify various influencing factors in the tendency of young people to use this substance using qualitative method. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the factors influencing the tendency to use cannabinoid substances in young people.
Methods: Qualitative interviews and a phenomenological approach were used to identify the factors influencing the inclination towards cannabis use among cannabis users. The target population of the qualitative study included all young people aged 18 to 40 in Tehran in the year 2023 who were consuming cannabis at the time of the study. The sample members were initially selected using snowball sampling method. In this part of the study, the data saturation criterion was used to determine the sample size. In fact, after 10 in-depth interviews with the participants, the researchers concluded that the obtained data were repetitions of previous interviews. For further assurance of data saturation, two additional supplementary interviews were conducted (total of 12 samples), which again resulted in repetitions of previous interview data. Data collection was done through semi-structured interviews. The data analysis was based on the descriptive phenomenological method by Giorgio (2009). The implementation process of this study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, with the code IR.UT.PSYEDU.REC.1401.071.
Findings: A total of 12 cannabis users participated in this study, with 8 being male and 4 being female. The participants’ average (standard deviation) age was 33.84 (4.5) years, with an age range of 27 to 41 years. The educational level of the participants varied from high school diploma to postgraduate, but the majority of participants (6 individuals) had a bachelor’s degree. Apart from the participant, the rest of the participants were employed. Additionally, 83% of the participants were single. Furthermore, the mean (standard deviation) age at first cannabis use was 20.24 (23.5) years, with an age range of 16 to 30 years. From the interview texts, 108 statements were extracted and categorized into 18 sub-themes and 5 main themes. The 5 main themes were: 1) Individual factors (8 sub-themes and 53 statements), 2) Social-environmental factors (4 sub-themes and 33 statements), 3) Media role (2 sub-themes and 11 statements), 4) Legal and policy constraints (2 sub-themes and 5 statements), and 5) Effects of cannabinoids (2 sub-themes and 6 statements). In overall, the results indicated that factors such as lack of awareness about the consequences of cannabis use, inability to cope with stress and negative emotions, curiosity and inclination to experience the effects of the substance, lack of recreation and entertainment, lack of experience and awareness, inability to say no and lack of self-confidence and hopelessness, and lack of future plans are influential individual factors in the tendency to use cannabis.
Conclusion: The inclination of young people towards the use of cannabinoid substances is influenced by various factors. Effective prevention in this area, aimed at reducing the prevalence and occurrence of substance use, requires comprehensive action on influential factors. Based on the results of the present research, it is suggested that a comprehensive program be designed to address individual, social-environmental factors, media role, regulatory factors, and policy-making, as well as understanding the effects and consequences of substances in the agenda of policymakers and health system planners. Therefore, the results of this study have provided the fundamental knowledge for the development of preventive programs aiming to control the use of cannabinoid substances.
Methods: Qualitative interviews and a phenomenological approach were used to identify the factors influencing the inclination towards cannabis use among cannabis users. The target population of the qualitative study included all young people aged 18 to 40 in Tehran in the year 2023 who were consuming cannabis at the time of the study. The sample members were initially selected using snowball sampling method. In this part of the study, the data saturation criterion was used to determine the sample size. In fact, after 10 in-depth interviews with the participants, the researchers concluded that the obtained data were repetitions of previous interviews. For further assurance of data saturation, two additional supplementary interviews were conducted (total of 12 samples), which again resulted in repetitions of previous interview data. Data collection was done through semi-structured interviews. The data analysis was based on the descriptive phenomenological method by Giorgio (2009). The implementation process of this study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, with the code IR.UT.PSYEDU.REC.1401.071.
Findings: A total of 12 cannabis users participated in this study, with 8 being male and 4 being female. The participants’ average (standard deviation) age was 33.84 (4.5) years, with an age range of 27 to 41 years. The educational level of the participants varied from high school diploma to postgraduate, but the majority of participants (6 individuals) had a bachelor’s degree. Apart from the participant, the rest of the participants were employed. Additionally, 83% of the participants were single. Furthermore, the mean (standard deviation) age at first cannabis use was 20.24 (23.5) years, with an age range of 16 to 30 years. From the interview texts, 108 statements were extracted and categorized into 18 sub-themes and 5 main themes. The 5 main themes were: 1) Individual factors (8 sub-themes and 53 statements), 2) Social-environmental factors (4 sub-themes and 33 statements), 3) Media role (2 sub-themes and 11 statements), 4) Legal and policy constraints (2 sub-themes and 5 statements), and 5) Effects of cannabinoids (2 sub-themes and 6 statements). In overall, the results indicated that factors such as lack of awareness about the consequences of cannabis use, inability to cope with stress and negative emotions, curiosity and inclination to experience the effects of the substance, lack of recreation and entertainment, lack of experience and awareness, inability to say no and lack of self-confidence and hopelessness, and lack of future plans are influential individual factors in the tendency to use cannabis.
Conclusion: The inclination of young people towards the use of cannabinoid substances is influenced by various factors. Effective prevention in this area, aimed at reducing the prevalence and occurrence of substance use, requires comprehensive action on influential factors. Based on the results of the present research, it is suggested that a comprehensive program be designed to address individual, social-environmental factors, media role, regulatory factors, and policy-making, as well as understanding the effects and consequences of substances in the agenda of policymakers and health system planners. Therefore, the results of this study have provided the fundamental knowledge for the development of preventive programs aiming to control the use of cannabinoid substances.
Type of Study: Original Research Article |
Subject:
Psychology
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