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ABSTRACT
Background
Despite the association between depression symptoms and cannabis use, it is unknown how military affiliation may modify this relationship.
Methods
Patients reported frequency of cannabis use (past 30 days) and answered the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2), as well as offered sociodemographic information (n = 484). Data were retrieved from a medical records database linked to a screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) program from three clinics in Alabama. With incomplete data for 89% of the sample for education, employment status, and income, we used multiple imputation with chained equations (MICE) to estimate a linear regression model where frequency of cannabis use was regressed on the previously described variables, plus an interaction term for military family status and depression.
Results
Frequency of cannabis use was greater among civilians with depression symptoms (M = 7.66 days, SE = 0.60) than individuals from military families with depression symptoms (M = 1.44 days, SE = 1.75). Cannabis use was similar among civilians and military-connected individuals without depression symptoms, respectively (M = 4.01, SE = 0.18 vs. M = 3.85, SE = 0.48). The interaction between term for military family status and depression was statistically significant (b = −5.99, SE = 2.74, p = .03).
Conclusion
A personal military connection may be a protective factor against cannabis use for those with depression symptoms. Future research should investigate other substances used for coping with depression symptoms among those military affiliated.
KEYWORDS:
Disclosure statement
Views expressed here are those of the authors and do not represent positions or views of any employer, including the State of Alabama or the Alabama Department of Mental Health.