Cannabis use and later life outcomes
Abstract
Aim To examine the associations between the extent of cannabis use during adolescence and young adulthood and later education, economic, employment, relationship satisfaction and life satisfaction outcomes. Design A longitudinal study of a New Zealand birth cohort studied to age 25 years. Measurements Measures of: cannabis use at ages 14–25; university degree attainment to age 25; income at age 25; welfare dependence during the period 21–25 years; unemployment 21–25 years; relationship quality; life satisfaction. Also, measures of childhood socio‐economic disadvantage, family adversity, childhood and early adolescent behavioural adjustment and cognitive ability and adolescent and young adult mental health and substance use. Findings There were statistically significant bivariate associations between increasing levels of cannabis use at ages 14–21 and: lower levels of degree attainment by age 25 ( P < 0.0001); lower income at age 25 ( P < 0.01); higher levels of welfare dependence ( P < 0.0001); higher unemployment ( P < 0.0001); lower levels of relationship satisfaction ( P < 0.001); and lower levels of life satisfaction ( P < 0.0001). These associations were adjusted for a range of potentially confounding factors including: family socio‐economic background; family functioning; exposure to child abuse; childhood and adolescent adjustment; early adolescent academic achievement; and comorbid mental disorders and substance use. After adjustment, the associations between increasing cannabis use and all outcome measures remained statistically significant ( P < 0.05). Conclusions The results of the present study suggest that increasing cannabis use in late adolescence and early adulthood is associated with a range of adverse outcomes in later life. High levels of cannabis use are related to poorer educational outcomes, lower income, greater welfare dependence and unemployment and lower relationship and life satisfaction. The findings add to a growing body of knowledge regarding the adverse consequences of heavy cannabis use.
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Frequent cannabis use is associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety.
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- Authors
- Fergusson, D. M., & Boden, J. M.
- Affiliations
- University of Otago (NZ)
- Corresponding author
- Fergusson, David M.
- Venue
- Addiction
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2008-06
- Volume
- 103
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 969-976
- ISSN
- 0965-2140 (ISSN-L)
- 1360-0443
- OpenAlex
- W2136106941
- Cited by
- 526
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 30 · 2021: 33 · 2020: 59 · 2019: 31 · 2018: 44 · 2017: 44 · 2016: 45 · 2015: 38 · 2014: 27 · 2013: 25 · 2012: 22
- FWCI
- 14.38
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Addiction (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Research Foundation
- Health Research Council of New Zealand
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Prenatal Substance Exposure Effects
- Keywords
- cannabis use, adolescent substance use, early adulthood, educational attainment, income, welfare dependency, unemployment, relationship satisfaction, life satisfaction, long-term outcomes, birth cohort
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Marijuana Abuse, Educational Status, Employment, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, New Zealand, Quality of Life, Risk Factors, Social Welfare, Socioeconomic Factors
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