title: Risk-taking in schizophrenia and controls with and without cannabis dependence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Risk-based decision making is altered in people with schizophrenia and in people with cannabis use compared to healthy controls; the pattern of risk-assessment in people with co-occurring schizophrenia and cannabis dependence is poorly understood. This study examined measures of risk-taking and decision-making in people with and without schizophrenia and/or cannabis dependence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants with schizophrenia (n=24), cannabis dependence (n=23), schizophrenia and co-occurring cannabis dependence (n=18), and healthy controls (n=24) were recruited from the community via advertisements and completed a one-visit battery of symptom, risk-based decision making, gambling behavior, cognitive, and addiction assessments. This report presents self-assessments of self-mastery, optimism, impulsivity, and sensation seeking and a behavioral assessment of risk (Balloon Analog Risk Task [BART]).
  
  
  RESULTS
  On self-report measures, participants with schizophrenia and co-occurring cannabis dependence were intermediate between those with only cannabis dependence or only schizophrenia on ratings of self-mastery, sensation-seeking, and impulsivity. There were no group differences on ratings of optimism. Their behavior on the BART was most similar to participants with only cannabis dependence or healthy controls, rather than to participants with only schizophrenia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  People with schizophrenia and co-occurring cannabis dependence may represent a unique group in terms of risk-perception and risk-taking. This has implications for interventions designed to influence health behaviors such as motivational interviewing.
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs Capital Network (VISN 5) Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Department of Veterans Affairs, Baltimore, MD, USA; Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. Electronic address: bfischer@mprc.umaryland.edu.
authors.forename: Bernard A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.affiliation: Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Robert P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: McMahon
authors.affiliation: Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Deanna L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Heidi J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Wehring
authors.affiliation: Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Walter A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.affiliation: Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Feldman
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs Capital Network (VISN 5) Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Department of Veterans Affairs, Baltimore, MD, USA; Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: William T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Carpenter
authors.affiliation: Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Gorelick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000652:urine; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000652:urine; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D057566:Self Report
keywords: Cannabis dependence; Co-occurring disorders; Decision-making; Impulsivity; Risk-taking; Schizophrenia