Marijuana Use and Depressive Symptoms among Young People: Examining Unidirectional and Bidirectional Effects

Keywords

Marijuana Use, Depressive Symptoms, Young People

Abstract

Research suggests that the prevalence of marijuana use and depression are increasing in the United States. Although it is not entirely clear what accounts for these coincident trends, several studies have shown that these two health concerns are associated among young people. This study assessed four hypotheses regarding the association between marijuana use and depression: 1) whether marijuana use affects subsequent symptoms of depression; 2) whether depressive symptoms affect subsequent marijuana use; 3) whether they are associated in a bidirectional (reciprocal) manner; and 4) whether the association between the two is confounded by stressful life events. Using eight years of longitudinal data from the Family Wellness and Health Study, a fixed-effects regression model provided empirical support for the first hypothesis only, but not for the others. Future research should explore in greater detail why marijuana use may have a causal impact on experiences with depression among young people.

Original Publication Citation

Hoffmann, John P. 2018. “Marijuana Use and Depressive Symptoms among Young People: Unidirectional and Bidirectional Effects.” Health 10(8): 1066-1078.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2018-8

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/6625

Publisher

Biomedical & Life Sciences

Language

english

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Sociology

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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