Cited by 206Child Abuse and TraumaSchizophrenia research and treatmentCannabis and Cannabinoid Research

Cannabis use and childhood trauma interact additively to increase the risk of psychotic symptoms in adolescence

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Harley, M., Kelleher, I., Clarke, M., Lynch, F., Arseneault, L., Connor, D., Fitzpatrick, C., Cannon, M.·2010·Psychological Medicine

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Adolescent cannabis use has been shown in many studies to increase the risk of later psychosis. Childhood trauma is associated with both substance misuse and risk for psychosis. In this study our aim was to investigate whether there is a significant interaction between cannabis use and childhood trauma in increasing the risk for experiencing psychotic symptoms during adolescence. METHOD: Psychiatric interviews using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children (K-SADS) semi-structured instrument were carried out with 211 adolescents aged between 12 and 15 years and their parents as part of a population-based study. The interview enquired about early traumatic events, cannabis use and psychiatric symptoms in adolescence. RESULTS: In separate analyses both cannabis use and childhood trauma were significantly associated with risk of experiencing psychotic symptoms. However, the presence of both childhood trauma and early cannabis use significantly increased the risk for psychotic symptoms beyond the risk posed by either risk factor alone, indicating that there was a greater than additive interaction between childhood trauma and cannabis use. CONCLUSION: Our finding of a greater than additive interaction between childhood trauma and cannabis use may have implications for the identification of individuals at high risk of experiencing psychotic symptoms. For example, measures to actively discourage or intensively treat cannabis use in children and adolescents who have experienced abuse may help to prevent the development of psychosis in this vulnerable group. Our findings require replication in larger samples to confirm this interaction effect.

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Crossref · 10.1017/s0033291709991966

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  • Three studies have found that presence of both childhood trauma and cannabis use increased the absolute risk of psychosis to a greater degree than the sum of either risk factor alone.

    “Three studies have found that presence of both childhood trauma and cannabis use increased the absolute risk of psychosis to a greater degree than the sum of either risk factor alone (42)(43)(44).”

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Authors
Harley, M., Kelleher, I., Clarke, M., Lynch, F., Arseneault, L., Connor, D., Fitzpatrick, C., & Cannon, M.
Affiliations
  • University College Dublin (IE)
  • Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (IE)
  • King's College London (GB)
Corresponding author
Cannon, M.
Venue
Psychological Medicine
Published
2009-12-09
Volume
40
Issue
10
Pages
1627-1634
ISSN
  • 0033-2917 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-8978
OpenAlex
W2134882014
Cited by
206
References
56
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 20
FWCI
16.96
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Psychological Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
  • Lenus, The Irish Health Repository (Dr Steevens Hospital Library) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Wellcome Trust
  • National Institute for Health and Care Research
  • Economic and Social Research Council (ES/H034897/1)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
Keywords
adolescent cannabis use, childhood trauma, psychotic symptoms, psychosis risk, interaction effects, psychosis prevention
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Marijuana Abuse, Child, Child Abuse, Child Abuse, Sexual, Family Relations, Female, Humans, Male, Parents, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Psychotic Disorders, Risk Factors, Socioeconomic Factors, Domestic Violence, Age of Onset

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