title: The effects of cannabis use expectancies on self-initiated cannabis cessation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To prospectively investigate the relation between cannabis use expectancies and cannabis use prior to and during a self-initiated cannabis cessation attempt.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cohort design that followed participants for 4 weeks following a self-initiated cessation attempt.
  
  
  METHODS
  United States Department of Veterans Affairs medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred cannabis dependent military veterans.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Marijuana Effects Expectancy Questionnaire at baseline; the timeline follow-back procedure at baseline and during the cessation attempt.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cannabis use at baseline was associated with positive (P = 0.01), but not negative (P = 0.25), expectancies. Cannabis lapse was associated with positive (P = 0.03) and negative expectancies (P = 0.01), and relapse was associated with positive (P = 0.04), but not negative (P = 0.21), expectancies. The trajectory of average cannabis use during the cessation period was associated with positive (P = 0.03), but not negative (P = 0.96), expectancies. Results were similar in effect and statistical significance when adjusting for demographic factors, motivation to quit cannabis, mental disorder diagnoses, and alcohol and tobacco use, and when analyzing complete data sets obtained through multiple imputation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the USA, cannabis use expectancies, especially those regarding the positive effects of cannabis use, appear to be strongly and consistently linked to cannabis use and quit failure.
authors.affiliation: Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA. Matthew.Boden@va.gov
authors.forename: Matthew Tyler
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Boden
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: McKay
authors.forename: W Robert
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Marcel O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Bonn-Miller
mesh_terms: D059031:Anticipation, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology; D009042:Motivation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012648:Self Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
keywords: Cannabis; cannabis dependence; cessation; expectancies; lapse; marijuana; relapse