Treatment seeking in cannabis dependence: The role of social cognition. (1st January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Papinczak, Zoe E.; Connor, Jason P.; Feeney, Gerald F.X.; Young, Ross McD.; Gullo, Matthew J.
• Is Part Of: Drug and alcohol dependence. Volume 170(2017)
• Page Start: 142
• Page End: 146
• Publication Date: 2017-01-01
• Subjects: Cannabis -- Cannabis dependence -- Self-efficacy -- Expectancies -- Treatment initiation -- Treatment seeking; Drug abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.11.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0376-8716

Abstract

Highlights: Cannabis-related cognitions should affect motivation to seek treatment. We compared treatment-seeking and non-seeking cannabis dependent individuals. Treatment seekers had higher negative expectancies and lower emotional relief self-efficacy. Treatment seekers had poorer psychosocial functioning and higher self-perceived cannabis dependence. Abstract: Background and aims: Relatively few cannabis dependent individuals seek treatment and little is known about the determinants of treatment seeking. Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) provides a useful framework for examining human behaviour and motivation which may be helpful in explaining treatment seeking. This study examined the differences in cannabis outcome expectancies and cannabis refusal self-efficacy between treatment seekers and non-treatment seekers with cannabis dependence. Design: Non-treatment seekers were referred to an illicit drug diversion program. Treatment seekers commenced an outpatient cannabis treatment program and completed a comprehensive assessment that included measures of cannabis outcome expectancies and refusal self-efficacy. Setting: A public hospital alcohol and drug outpatient clinic. Participants: 269 non-treatment seekers and 195 individuals commencing cannabis dependence treatment. Measurements: The Cannabis Expectancy Questionnaire (CEQ), Cannabis Refusal Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (CRSEQ), Severity of Dependence Scale – Cannabis (SDS-C), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and Readiness to Change Questionnaire (RTC) were completed. Findings: Treatment seekers had significantly higher levels of negative cannabis outcome expectancies and significantly lower levels of emotional relief refusal self-efficacy (belief in ability to resist using cannabis when experiencing negative affect) ( p s < 0.001). Treatment seekers had significantly higher levels of psychological distress and self-perceived cannabis dependence compared to non-treatment seekers ( p s < 0.001). Conclusions: High negative cannabis outcome expectancies and low emotional relief refusal self-efficacy may play a key role in motivation to seek treatment.