title: Neurocognitive and social cognitive predictors of cannabis use in first-episode psychosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Findings are unclear as to whether cannabis use is associated with better cognitive functioning in individuals with psychosis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To elucidate the association between cannabis use, neurocognition and social cognition in first-episode psychosis (FEP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Secondary data analysis was conducted on data from 133 FEP participants who had enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of a vocational intervention. Participants completed a neurocognitive and social cognitive battery and characteristics of cannabis use were documented (disorder, recency, frequency and dose). Principal axis factor analysis was used to determine the underlying structure of the cognitive batteries. Regression techniques were used to examine cognitive predictors of current cannabis use disorder (CUD), and recency and frequency of cannabis use. Bivariate correlations were used to examine associations between cognition and dose of cannabis consumption.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Male gender (p=.037) was the only significant predictor of having a current CUD. Better processing speed (p=.022) and social cognition (p=.039), male gender (p<.001), and fewer negative symptoms (p=.036) predicted recency of cannabis use. Faster processing speed (p=.007) and male gender (p=.006) also predicted frequency of cannabis use. No variables were significantly associated with dose of cannabis consumption.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Better social cognition and processing speed abilities predicting recency and frequency of cannabis use are consistent with cannabis users having higher cognitive abilities. A positive relationship between cannabis use and cognition may be the result of more drug taking opportunities in less cognitively impaired individuals with psychosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology & Counselling, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia.
authors.forename: Chelsea
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.affiliation: Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, 35 Poplar Rd, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, 35 Poplar Rd, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Allott
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology & Counselling, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Farhall
authors.affiliation: Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, 35 Poplar Rd, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, 35 Poplar Rd, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
authors.forename: Eoin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Killackey
authors.affiliation: Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, 35 Poplar Rd, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, 35 Poplar Rd, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. Electronic address: smcotton@unimelb.edu.au.
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cotton
mesh_terms: D002188:Cannabis; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D012737:Sex Factors; D012938:Social Perception; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cannabis; Neurocognition; Psychosis; Social cognition