title: Attraction to cannabis among men with schizophrenia: a phenomenological study.
abstract: Cannabis use is common among persons with schizophrenia, particularly among men with this long-term chronic illness.A phenomenological study was undertaken to describe the perceptions of persons with schizophrenia regarding their attraction to cannabis. A sample of 8 men with schizophrenia who were living in the community and who had a history of current or past cannabis use were recruited by health professionals. Data were collected through in-depth interviewing and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Colaizzi's phenomenological method was used to analyze the interview data.The findings indicate that cannabis is used as a means of satisfying the schizophrenia-related need for relaxation, sense of self-worth, and distraction.The findings may be useful for nurses working with persons who have schizophrenia, a population that is frequently stigmatized and unheard.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry/Mental Health, Edmundston Regional Hospital, Edmundston, New Brunswick, Canada.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Francoeur
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D009509:New Brunswick; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000451:nursing*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D012651:Self Medication