The separate and joint effects of recent interpersonal abuse and cannabis use on psychotic experiences: findings from students in higher education in the United States

Hans Oh*, Jinyu Du, Nicole R. Karcher, Els van der Ven, Jordan E. DeVylder, Lee Smith, Ai Koyanagi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Various forms of interpersonal abuse (e.g., physical, emotional, sexual) and cannabis use across the lifespan have both been known to increase odds of psychotic experiences; however, there have been few studies examining their separate and joint effects in the United States.

METHODS: We analyzed data from the Healthy Minds Study (2020-2021) and used multivariable logistic regression and interaction contrast ratios to assess separate and joint effects of interpersonal abuse (past 12 months) and cannabis use (past 30 days) on psychotic experiences (past 12 months).

RESULTS: Students who only used cannabis had significantly greater odds of psychotic experiences (aOR: 1.70; 95% CI 1.58-1.82), as well as those who only experienced interpersonal abuse (aOR: 2.40; 95% CI 2.25-2.56). However, those who reported both cannabis use and interpersonal abuse had the greatest odds, exceeding the sum of these individual effects (the combined effect aOR: 3.46; 95% CI 3.19-3.76).

CONCLUSIONS: Recent interpersonal abuse and recent cannabis use both separately and jointly increase odds of having recent psychotic experiences. Future research should continue to examine the potential interactive and additive impact of multiple known exposures to better inform primary and secondary prevention efforts.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)77-85
Number of pages9
JournalSocial Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Volume59
Issue number1
Early online date24 Apr 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2024

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Open access funding provided by SCELC, Statewide California Electronic Library Consortium. This work was supported by National Institute of Mental Health (NK: K23MH121792).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, The Author(s).

Funding

Open access funding provided by SCELC, Statewide California Electronic Library Consortium. This work was supported by National Institute of Mental Health (NK: K23MH121792).

FundersFunder number
National Institute of Mental HealthK23MH121792
National Institute of Mental Health
Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, University of Southern California
Center for International Studies, University of Southern California
University of Southern California Sea Grant, University of Southern California
University of Southern California
School of Social Work, University of Southern California
Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute, University of Southern California
Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California
Women in Science and Engineering, University of Southern California
School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California
Center for Health System Innovation, University of Southern California
Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Southern California
Alfred E. Mann Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California
Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California
Stevens Center for Innovation, University of Southern California
Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California

    Keywords

    • Adversity
    • Cannabis
    • Interpersonal abuse
    • Psychosis
    • Trauma

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