Cannabis use, schizotypy and personality : associations with cannabis-related problems and emotion recognition
- WCU Author/Contributor (non-WCU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Brittany Elizabeth Blanchard (Creator)
- Institution
- Western Carolina University (WCU )
- Web Site: http://library.wcu.edu/
- Advisor
- Kia Asberg
Abstract: Individuals with schizotypy often report more cannabis-related problems, which include
cognitive, interpersonal, and social responsibility difficulties. Past studies have observed
correlations between the factors of schizotypy (i.e., positive, disorganized, and negative)
and the five-factor model of personality. Certain personality traits are also associated
with cannabis use. Further, both schizophrenia-spectrum symptoms and cannabis use
have been implicated in reduced ability to identify emotional facial expressions, which
can lead to greater difficulties in social functioning. Therefore, the purpose of the current
study is to better understand the associations between cannabis use, schizotypy, and
personality. Additionally, this research aims to identify which of the aforementioned
variables are most salient in individuals who experience cannabis-related problems and
emotional identification deficits. The sample was comprised of 242 undergraduates
attending Western Carolina University, and data were collected through self-report
measures and an eye tracker.
Results from bivariate correlations and non-parametric statistics indicated that
cannabis use was associated with higher disorganized schizotypy and total schizotypy,
while the number of cannabis-related problems was significantly correlated to all factors of schizotypy. Cannabis use, cannabis-related problems, and schizotypy were associated
with lower Agreeableness and Conscientiousness, as well as higher levels of
Immoderation and Excitement-Seeking. Individuals who met criteria for cannabis
dependence were significantly higher in Excitement-Seeking, but lower in Cooperation,
Dutifulness, Achievement-Striving, and Cautiousness compared to those who do not
experience cannabis-related problems. Similar to the deficits seen on the schizophreniaspectrum,
cannabis use frequency was associated with decreased attention to the left
visual field; moreover, cannabis-related problems were negatively correlated to attention
to the eyes of most emotional faces. Personality traits such as Conscientiousness were
associated with fixation on particular emotional features, as well as accuracy for
identifying neutral faces. Taken together, the results of the current study suggest that
there are significant associations between cannabis use, schizotypy, and personality, and
these variables play a role in cannabis-related problems and facial affect recognition
processing. Therefore, prevention of these potential problems should target identification
of schizotypal traits, abstinence from cannabis, and social skills building in adolescence
and emerging adulthood.
Cannabis use, schizotypy and personality : associations with cannabis-related problems and emotion recognition
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Created on 3/1/2013
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- Language: English
- Date: 2013
- Keywords
- cannabis, cannabis-related problems, emotion recognition, personality, schizotypy
- Subjects
- Marijuana abuse -- Psychological aspects
- Marijuana abuse -- Social aspects
- Schizotypal personality disorder -- Effect of drugs on
- Schizotypal personality disorder -- Social aspects
- Personality -- Effect of drugs on