[Cannabis Use, Emotional Dysregulation, and Impulsivity: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study].

Abstract

The relationship between emotional regulation, impulsivity and cannabis use is complex and has been scarcely studied in Chile.

Aim: To analyze the relationship between emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, age of onset and patterns of cannabis use in Chilean adults.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out. The DERS-E (emotional dysregulation) and UPPS-P (impulsivity) scales were applied and sociodemographic variables were collected.

Results: Sixty-four participants (45% female) were included, with an average age of 34.8 ± 10.8 years. Forty-five percent initiated use before the age of 18 years, a group that showed significantly higher levels of emotional dysregulation and total impulsivity. Forty-four percent had regular cannabis use. Thirty-nine percent of regular users showed scores consistent with emotional dysregulation, versus 14% of intermittent users (p= 0.02). The total score and all dimensions of DERS-E were significantly higher in regular users, but there were no differences in impulsivity dimensions according to use pattern. There were significant and positive correlations between DERS-E and UPPS-P dimensions, with the highest magnitude being the correlation between DERS-E total score and the "negative urgency" dimension (r= 0.505).

Conclusions: Cannabis users with early onset and habitual pattern present greater emotional dysregulation. Impulsivity is higher in the group that started use before 18 years of age, but there are no differences according to the pattern of use. Prospective studies should clarify the relationship between emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and cannabis use. We suggest implementing early therapeutic strategies focused on emotional regulation.