Cannabis use amongst individuals with severe mental health problems : reasons for use and motivational based interventions

Motivational based approaches have been shown to be effective in reducing problematic behaviours in the general population. The present study reviewed 31 studies that aimed to reduce a number of problematic behaviours amongst individuals with severe mental health problems. Evidence supporting the efficacy of motivational based approaches in increasing adherence to medication was inconsistent. In the minority of studies where an increase in medication adherence was reported, the duration of effect appeared to decline over time. The evidence from the studies that aimed to reduce substance use was more consistent. A number of other positive outcomes were reported reductions in: dependence, general functioning and mental health symptomatology. The empirical paper presents a quantitative study that aimed to look at the reasons for cannabis use amongst individuals with and without severe mental health problems. It was found that the motivations for using cannabis did not differ between the two groups; both using cannabis to cope with negative affect, for pleasure and for social reasons. However, individuals with severe mental health problems differed in that they expected cannabis to be more ‘socially and sexually facilitative’. Irrespective of mental health status, participants who used cannabis more problematically endorsed more coping and pleasure motives.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo