INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF EARLY ADVERSE EXPERIENCES ON SUBSEQUENT CANNABIS USE AMONG ADULTS

Abstract

This study was aimed to find out the relation between early adverse experiences and subsequent cannabis use among adults. Sample was consisted on (N=300) adults (Men= 281, women =19) with age range of 20-35 years, Data collection was conducted through online or physical of the survey was shared with diagnosed sample to the different Hospitals and rehab centers across Islamabad. Cross-sectional design was used Purposive sampling technique was employed for data collection. Cannabis Abuse Screening Test by (Legleye et al., 2007) and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Questionnaire by (Felitti et al., 1998) was administered. The psychometric properties of the Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST) were (a=.75) and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) scale internal consistency Cronbach’s alpha values were (a=.81). Descriptive Statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlation, Independent Sample t-test, and Simple linear regressions analysis was run using SPSS v-27. Result showed that the correlation coefficient indicates a moderate positive relationship between ACEs and cannabis use. Thus, it can be said that an individual with more adverse childhood experiences is likely to report more cannabis use. Regression analysis was indicating that CAST does not significantly indicate ACEs. The R² value is 0.000, which proves that CAST can explain a negligible variance in ACEs. In addition, p-value being no significant reconfirms that there is no relationship amongst the variables in this sample