Gender Differences In The Presence Of Psychotic Symptoms
Among Cannabis Dependent Adults
Cedric Badjeck
Research Proposal
Miriam Hollarek, Group 6
, Summary of Research Proposal
It has been well-documented that cannabis use can lead to the onset of psychotic
symptoms similar to schizophrenia. The risk for the onset of these symptoms is quite high for
both genders. Yet, the research and literature on gender differences and drug-induced
psychosis have been lacking. Increasingly, data suggest that there may be gender-related
differences in the acute and chronic effects of cannabis. In other reports investigating males
and females, the prevalence of psychotic symptoms among cannabis users was 3 times higher
compared with the general population, and nearly 15% of cannabis users experienced
clinically significant levels of psychotic symptoms such as suspiciousness, weird thought, or
hallucinations in the past year. However, data on gender differences in the presence of
psychotic symptoms among cannabis-dependent adults is lacking. Studies have shown that
sex and cannabis may influence the clinical onset, treatment response, and illness course of
psychosis. This study aims to investigate gender differences in the presence of psychotic
symptoms among cannabis-dependent patients. It is hypothesized that women will experience
more symptoms compared to men. . I will recruit approximately 84 participants for my study,
then I will divide them into two groups one group of males and one female. I will measure the
psychotic symptoms with the Psychotic symptom rating scale which is a questionnaire that
measures the severity of psychotic symptoms. I will conduct an independent sample t-test to
compare the means of the groups to determine whether there is statistical evidence that the
associated population means are significantly different.
Background
Cannabis is the most intensively used illegal drug with more than 181 million
consumers worldwide (World drug report, 2015). Because of the legalization of this drug in
some countries, as well as the development of its therapeutic use, the possible negative effects
of this drug have been underestimated (World drug report, 2021). Men and women generally
report having different motivations for using cannabis (Laurie et al., 2016). Men, on average,
are more prone to be influenced by external factors, such as the availability of cannabis and
the pressure of peers. Men also tend to have a strong cannabis-using friend network. Overall,
it has been observed that males reported significantly higher rates of cannabis use, abuse, and
dependence (Millar et al., 2021). When investigating gender differences and the use of
cannabis, it has been reported that females tend to have an increased likelihood of
experiencing cannabis dependence (Laurie et al., 2016). Furthermore, some women may use
cannabis as a way to relax and address challenges in their life such as depression, anxiety, life
Among Cannabis Dependent Adults
Cedric Badjeck
Research Proposal
Miriam Hollarek, Group 6
, Summary of Research Proposal
It has been well-documented that cannabis use can lead to the onset of psychotic
symptoms similar to schizophrenia. The risk for the onset of these symptoms is quite high for
both genders. Yet, the research and literature on gender differences and drug-induced
psychosis have been lacking. Increasingly, data suggest that there may be gender-related
differences in the acute and chronic effects of cannabis. In other reports investigating males
and females, the prevalence of psychotic symptoms among cannabis users was 3 times higher
compared with the general population, and nearly 15% of cannabis users experienced
clinically significant levels of psychotic symptoms such as suspiciousness, weird thought, or
hallucinations in the past year. However, data on gender differences in the presence of
psychotic symptoms among cannabis-dependent adults is lacking. Studies have shown that
sex and cannabis may influence the clinical onset, treatment response, and illness course of
psychosis. This study aims to investigate gender differences in the presence of psychotic
symptoms among cannabis-dependent patients. It is hypothesized that women will experience
more symptoms compared to men. . I will recruit approximately 84 participants for my study,
then I will divide them into two groups one group of males and one female. I will measure the
psychotic symptoms with the Psychotic symptom rating scale which is a questionnaire that
measures the severity of psychotic symptoms. I will conduct an independent sample t-test to
compare the means of the groups to determine whether there is statistical evidence that the
associated population means are significantly different.
Background
Cannabis is the most intensively used illegal drug with more than 181 million
consumers worldwide (World drug report, 2015). Because of the legalization of this drug in
some countries, as well as the development of its therapeutic use, the possible negative effects
of this drug have been underestimated (World drug report, 2021). Men and women generally
report having different motivations for using cannabis (Laurie et al., 2016). Men, on average,
are more prone to be influenced by external factors, such as the availability of cannabis and
the pressure of peers. Men also tend to have a strong cannabis-using friend network. Overall,
it has been observed that males reported significantly higher rates of cannabis use, abuse, and
dependence (Millar et al., 2021). When investigating gender differences and the use of
cannabis, it has been reported that females tend to have an increased likelihood of
experiencing cannabis dependence (Laurie et al., 2016). Furthermore, some women may use
cannabis as a way to relax and address challenges in their life such as depression, anxiety, life
