Is cannabis associated with more than just driving impairment? An investigation into the psychological dysfunctioning and driving behaviours of active cannabis users

Research has suggested that problematic cannabis use is associated with self-regulatory impairments, psychopathology, and the tendency to engage in risk taking behaviours. However, no research has applied the combined dynamics of these factors to the topic of risky driving behaviour specifically. This study investigated whether specific cannabis use patterns (i.e., use onset, duration, frequency, and quantity) and likely dependence influenced driving styles, via their effects towards emotional dysregulation and psychopathology (i.e., anxiety, depression, anger), among an online sample of active Australian cannabis users (N = 200). Group comparisons showed that likely dependent cannabis users reported significantly greater difficulties regulating their emotions, greater incidence of psychopathological symptoms (i.e., anxiety, depression, and anger), and more frequent engagement in risky driving styles (i.e., anxious driving, aggressive driving, dissociative driving, and reckless driving), compared to non-dependent cannabis users. Examination of bivariate correlations demonstrated significant and positive associations between specific cannabis use patterns, emotional regulation difficulties, psychopathology, and risky driving styles. Structural equation modelling highlighted that cannabis use patterns indirectly predicted participants self-reported engagement in risky driving styles via their effects towards self-regulatory difficulties and psychopathology. The findings of this study have highlighted driving related risks associated with cannabis use, outside of typical acute-related impairments. In addition, the study has emphasised the importance of psychological dysfunctioning in the engagement of both substance use and risky driving styles. Understanding this in combination is important for future interventions targeting aberrant driving behaviours.