UPPS-P model impulsivity and marijuana use behaviors in adolescents: A meta-analysis

Background: Impulsivity is often included as a risk factor in models of adolescent marijuana use behaviors; however, the magnitude of the association between impulsivity and marijuana use behaviors is variable across studies. The present study reviewed existent literature to 1) quantify the relationship between separable impulsivity-related traits and both marijuana use and negative marijuana consequences and 2) quantify the size of the effect of gender on these relationships.

Method: Thirty-eight studies (41 independent samples) were meta-analyzed using a random effects model to examine the relationship between impulsivity traits and marijuana use behaviors.

Results: Marijuana use was significantly related to all impulsivity-related traits except lack of perseverance (r's ranging from 0.13-0.23, p's<0.01). Negative marijuana consequences were only significantly related to sensation seeking, lack of planning, and positive urgency (r's ranging from 0.37-0.39, p's<0.01). Effects were small for marijuana use, but medium for negative marijuana consequences. Gender was not a significant moderator of any relationships.

Conclusions: Impulsivity-related traits had more robust relationships with negative marijuana consequences than marijuana use, suggesting impulsivity-related traits are important in differentiating adolescents most likely to experience negative consequences from marijuana use. Few relationships examined gender and many of the impulsivity-related traits, other than sensation seeking. Data and trends suggest a more multi-dimensional approach to marijuana use and consequences is warranted.