Cannabis use and mental health in secondary school children. Findings from a Dutch survey.
BACKGROUND
Cannabis use is associated with mental health problems, and young people in particular are at risk.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between cannabis use and mental health in adolescence.


METHODS
Data from 5551 adolescents aged 12-16 years were drawn from the Dutch Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children school survey, carried out aspart of the international 2001 World Health Organization project.


RESULTS
After adjusting for confounding factors, cannabis use was linked to externalising problems (delinquent and aggressive behaviour) but not to internalising problems (withdrawn behaviour, somatic complaints and depression). An increasing frequency of use resulted in stronger links. No significant gender or age by cannabis interaction effects were found.


CONCLUSIONS
In a country with a liberal drug policy like The Netherlands, cannabis use is associated with aggression and delinquency, just as in other countries. Cannabis use was not associated with internalising problems. Alcohol use and regular smoking were strong confounding factors.
Monshouwer
Karin
K
Trimbos Institute, PO Box 725, 3500 AS, Utrecht, The Netherlands. kmonshouwer@trimbos.nl
VAN Dorsselaer
Saskia
S
Verdurmen
Jacqueline
J
Bogt
Tom Ter
TT
DE Graaf
Ron
R
Vollebergh
Wilma
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000367:Age Factors; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D008603:Mental Health; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology