title: Peer influence and gender differences in problematic cannabis use among individuals with social anxiety.
abstract: Despite epidemiological reports indicating that individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD) are at heightened risk for cannabis use disorders (CUD), there is a dearth of research investigating the mechanisms underlying the nature of this co-occurrence. The present study examined the role of a well-established risk factor for cannabis use, peer influence, on the relationship between symptoms of SAD and CUD in a non-referred sample (N = 123). Lifetime symptoms of SAD and CUD were assessed using a structured diagnostic interview. SAD symptoms were significantly correlated with CUD symptoms and this relationship was moderated by peer use of both alcohol and cannabis. Further, a gender effect indicated that the relationship between symptoms of SAD and CUD occurred only in women. Implications of these novel findings are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
authors.forename: Julia D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Buckner
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mallott
authors.forename: Norman B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Jeanette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010379:Peer Group; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires