Exploring the Factors Influencing the Tendency to Use Cannabinoid Substances Among Youth: A Qualitative Study

Mortazavifar , Samira; Pournaghash Tehrani , Seyyed Saied; Gholamali Lavasani , Masoud; Dehdari , Tahereh

Volume 15 - Articles-1404 MEJDS (2025) 15: 13 | Back to browse issues page

Ethics code: IR.UT.PSYEDU.REC.1401.071

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Mortazavifar S, Pournaghash Tehrani S S, Gholamali Lavasani M, Dehdari T. Exploring the Factors Influencing the Tendency to Use Cannabinoid Substances Among Youth: A Qualitative Study. MEJDS 2025; 15 (0) :13-13
URL: http://jdisabilstud.org/article-1-3291-en.html

Exploring the Factors Influencing the Tendency to Use Cannabinoid Substances Among Youth: A Qualitative Study

Samira Mortazavifar¹

, Seyyed Saied Pournaghash Tehrani ^*²

, Masoud Gholamali Lavasani³

, Tahereh Dehdari⁴

1- PhD Student in Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2- Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
3- Associate Professor, Department of Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
4- Associate Professor, Health Promotion Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract: (451 Views)

Abstract
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 adverse 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 health care system and professionals in providing better services to consumers of these substances. While identifying factors influencing the propensity 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 Iran and the limitations of quantitative studies in identifying a wide range of influential factors, the present study was conducted to investigate 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 the young. The target population of the qualitative study included all young people aged 18 to 40 living in Tehran City, Iran, in 2023 who were consuming cannabis at the study time. The sample members were initially selected using the snowball sampling method. The data saturation criterion was used to determine the sample size in this part of the study. 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 (12 samples), resulting 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). Before conducting the interviews, permission was obtained from the samples to record the conversations, and if the sample subjects agreed, the interviews were conducted orally. The conversations were recorded simultaneously in the samples that did not agree to be recorded. The interviews were conducted over two weeks, usually lasting between 20 and 40 minutes.
Results: A total of 12 cannabis users participated in this study, with 8 being male and 4 female. The participants’ average (SD) 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 most (6 individuals) had a bachelor’s degree. Apart from one participant, the rest of the participants were employed. Additionally, 83% of the participants were single. Furthermore, the mean (SD) 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 items were extracted and categorized into 18 subthemes and 5 main themes. The 5 main themes were: 1) individual factors (8 subthemes and 53 items), 2) social–environmental factors (4 subthemes and 33 items), 3) media role (2 subthemes and 11 items), 4) legal and policy constraints (2 subthemes and 5 items), and 5) effects of cannabinoids (2 subthemes and 6 items). Overal, 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 including individual factors, social–environmental factors, media role, regulatory factors, and policy–making, as well as understanding the effects and consequences of substances, that effective prevention requires comprehensive action against the influencing factors to reduce the prevalence and incidence of the use of this substance.

Keywords: Cannabinoids, Tendency to use, Youth

Full-Text [PDF 321 kb] (15 Downloads)

Type of Study: Original Research Article | Subject: Psychology

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