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Background: Identification of factors associated with the initiation and continuation of cannabis use is important for any preventive work. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the early life course predictors of cannabis use and the development of cannabis use disorder in early adulthood. Methods: Data from Mater Hospital and University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy (MUSP), a population-based prospective birth cohort study. Participants were a cohort of 2,493 young adults who completed the life-time version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview-computerized version (CIDI-Auto) at the 21-year follow-up, and for whom data were available from previous follow-ups. Ever use and age at first use of cannabis was assessed via self-report, and cannabis use disorder was measured based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual version IV (DSM-IV) diagnostic criteria. Life course predictors were obtained between the child's birth and the 14-year follow-up. Results: Of 2,493 young adults, 51.4% reported having ever used cannabis, and 21.1% of young adults were classified as having ever had a cannabis use disorder. Child's gender, changes in maternal marital status, maternal smoking, child school performance, childhood sexual abuse, early adolescence smoking and alcohol consumption, and adolescent aggression/delinquency were strongly associated with young adult cannabis use and use disorder. Exposure to multiple risk factors was associated with greater risk of outcomes. Conclusions: There are a number of strong predictors of cannabis use identified in this study. They suggest that the social context within which children are reared has a major influence on cannabis use and use disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is associated with a wide range of health problems later in life. The impact of CSA on young adults’ use of cannabis remains under-studied. We examined the extent to which exposure to CSA was associated with increased rates of use of cannabis in early adulthood in a birth cohort of 3,285 Australian children followed-up to the age of 21 years, when retrospective reports of CSA were obtained from sample participants along with information on their use of cannabis at 21 years. Young adult men and women who reported experiencing CSA had significantly higher rates of frequent use of cannabis in early adulthood, defined as use of cannabis at least “every few days.” In multivariate analyses, men who reported a history of CSA had an odds ratio (OR) of 2.1 (95% CI = 1.1–3.9) for frequent use of cannabis at the age of 21 years. For women, there was an OR of 3.9 (95% CI = 2.4–6.3). Family and individual factors measured earlier in the study did not confound these associations. The findings suggest that children experiencing CSA have a substantially greater risk of use of cannabis and, in particular, its frequent use in early adulthood. Further research is required to explore factors that explain the pathway linking CSA and use of cannabis in early adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To examine whether there is evidence of an independent association between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and nicotine disorder in youth and to explore the mechanisms underlying this association in a prospective cohort study. Design Birth cohort study followed-up to 21 years. Setting One of two major obstetric hospitals in Brisbane, Australia. Participants The Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy involves a prospective birth cohort from a population-based sample involving 7223 singletons whose mothers were enrolled between 1981 and 1984 at the first antenatal visit. The present cohort consisted of a subgroup of 2571 youth who completed the life-time version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview—computerized version (CIDI-Auto) at the 21-year follow-up. Measurements Nicotine disorder was measured based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual version IV (DSM-IV) diagnostic criteria and measures of CSA, including retrospective self-reports of rape, were obtained at 21 years. Results Of 2571 young adults, 16.6% met the criteria for either dependence (12.8%) or withdrawal (8.5%). Non-penetrative sexual abuse was reported by 15.5% of respondents and 8.0% reported penetrative sexual abuse. For any types of sexual abuse including non-penetrative, penetrative and self-reported rape before age 16 years, young adults had significantly higher rates of nicotine disorder than young adults who did not experience CSA. This relationship was independent and appeared direct after adjustment for a range of potential confounding and mediating factors. Conclusions This study shows that CSA is associated with young adult nicotine disorder. The results extend the public health significance of findings in this area and highlight the importance of not only intensifying public health efforts to address substance use problems among those who have experienced CSA, but of early intervention, so that emerging risky behaviours may be targeted in the earliest stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]