Cited by 17Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchCannabis and Cannabinoid ResearchMigration, Health and Trauma

Cannabis use among U.S. military veterans with subthreshold or threshold posttraumatic stress disorder: Psychiatric comorbidities, functioning, and strategies for coping with posttraumatic stress symptoms

Hill, Melanie L., Loflin, Mallory, Nichter, Brandon, Na, Peter J., Herzog, Sarah, Norman, Sonya B., Pietrzak, Robert H.·2022·Journal of Traumatic Stress

Abstract

Cannabis use is common among individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, but its impact on psychiatric symptoms and functioning in this population is unclear. To clarify the clinical and functional correlates of cannabis use in individuals with PTSD symptoms, we analyzed data from the 2019-2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study, a nationally representative survey of U.S. military veterans. Participants with current subthreshold or full PTSD (N = 608) reported on their past-6-month cannabis use and current psychiatric symptoms, functioning, treatment utilization, and PTSD symptom management strategies. Veterans with subthreshold/full PTSD who used cannabis more than weekly were more likely to screen positive for co-occurring depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation than those who did not use cannabis, ORs = 3.4-3.8, or used cannabis less than weekly, ORs = 2.7-3.7. Veterans who used cannabis more than weekly also scored lower in cognitive functioning than veterans with no use, d = 0.25, or infrequent use, d = 0.71, and were substantially more likely to endorse avoidance coping strategies, ORs = 8.2-12.2, including substance use, OR = 4.4, and behavioral disengagement, ORs = 2.7-9.1, to manage PTSD symptoms. Despite more psychiatric and functional problems, veterans with frequent cannabis use were not more likely to engage in mental health treatment, ORs = 0.87-0.99. The results suggest enhanced cannabis use screening, interventions targeting risky use, and strategies promoting treatment engagement may help ameliorate more severe clinical presentations associated with frequent cannabis use among veterans with subthreshold/full PTSD.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1002/jts.22823

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Authors
Hill, M. L., Loflin, M., Nichter, B., Na, P. J., Herzog, S., Norman, S. B., & Pietrzak, R. H.
Affiliations
  • University of California San Diego (US)
  • Yale University (US)
  • Columbia University Irving Medical Center (US)
Corresponding author
Hill, Melanie L.
Venue
Journal of Traumatic Stress
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2022-03-11
Volume
35
Issue
4
Pages
1154-1166
ISSN
  • 0894-9867 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-6598
OpenAlex
W4220915922
Cited by
15
References
50
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 4
FWCI
2.97
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Traumatic Stress (publishedVersion, public-domain)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Migration, Health and Trauma
Keywords
cannabis use, post-traumatic stress disorder, subthreshold PTSD, military veterans, psychiatric comorbidity, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, cognitive function, avoidance coping, substance use, treatment engagement, cannabis screening
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Cannabis, Humans, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Veterans, Suicidal Ideation

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