Author ORCID Identifier
Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
2025
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Jeffrey S Simons
Abstract
Cannabis use is highly prevalent among young adults in the United States, with many experiencing associated problems. Social anxiety has been identified as a significant risk factor for cannabis use and related consequences; however, it remains unclear whether cannabis facilitates or inhibits social engagement among socially anxious individuals. Solitary cannabis use is consistently linked to use-related problems, but the term “solitary use” may encompass distinct contexts—such as social preparatory use, use to aid sleep, or use while spending time alone. The present study aimed to examine how cannabis use influences social engagement among socially anxious individuals and test how specific use contexts (e.g., social, solitary, preparatory, and sleep-related) contribute to cannabis-related problems. We hypothesized that cannabis use would moderate the relationship between social anxiety and social engagement, and that three forms of solitary use would mediate the relationship between social anxiety and cannabis-related problems. Results indicated that social anxiety symptoms were associated with reduced social engagement, and cannabis use intensity independently predicted lower social participation. However, cannabis use did not moderate the relationship between social anxiety and social participation. Use context showed differential associations with outcomes: solitary cannabis use was negatively associated with social participation, while preparatory use was positively associated. Social preparatory and sleep-related use, but not general solitary or social use, mediated the relationship between social anxiety and cannabis-related problems. Findings highlight the importance of differentiating among cannabis use contexts, suggesting that coping-based patterns of use may increase vulnerability to cannabis-related problems among socially anxious individuals.
Subject Categories
Clinical Psychology
Keywords
Cannabis Social anxiety hypothesized Social engagement
Number of Pages
114
Publisher
University of South Dakota
Recommended Citation
Beckius, Brooke, "SOCIAL ANXIETY AND CANNABIS USE CONTEXT" (2025). Dissertations and Theses. 362.
https://red.library.usd.edu/diss-thesis/362