Work

Cannabis Vaping Is Associated With Past 30-Day Suicide Attempts and Suicidal Ideation Among Adolescents in a Psychiatric Inpatient Setting

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Objective Increasing evidence links adolescent cannabis use (CU) to suicidal thoughts and behaviors. CU may be associated with both developing and self-medicating psychiatric symptoms. Although relatively new, cannabis vaping is increasing among adolescents. This chart review investigation evaluated the association between cannabis vaping and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among adolescents experiencing acute psychiatric symptomatology. Method The sample included 470 adolescents (ages 11-18; 64% biological female) admitted to an inpatient psychiatric hospital between 2021 and 2023. Adolescents completed an assessment battery measuring CU, psychiatric symptoms, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Separate regressions tested links between cannabis vaping and 2 outcomes—past 30-day suicide attempt and suicidal ideation (SI)—controlling for age and biological sex. Results In this sample, 26.8% reported past 30-day suicide attempts; 44.3% endorsed ever using cannabis, and 31.5% reported past 30-day CU. Of adolescents who ever used cannabis, 30.8% reported their most frequent method was vaping. Vaping as the most frequent cannabis method was associated with past 30-day suicide attempts (adjusted odds ratio = 2.38, p = .002) and greater SI ( b = 8.71, p = .020). The association remained significant for suicide attempts, but only marginally significant for SI ( p = .087), after controlling for depressive symptoms, impulse control, psychosocial impairment, and past 30-day substance use. Conclusion Vaping as the most frequent method of CU was significantly associated with suicide attempts and SI. Because data are cross-sectional, causality cannot be inferred. Nonetheless, cannabis vaping is important to assess among adolescents with acute psychiatric concerns because it may place them at higher risk for suicidal thoughts and attempts. Plain Language Summary Vaping cannabis has the ability to deliver higher potency than other routes of administration, and adolescents are increasingly using vaping as a way to consume cannabis even though it is associated with severe consequences. In this investigation in a large sample of adolescents hospitalized at psychiatric inpatient units, we investigated whether vaping as the primary method of using cannabis was associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviors. We found that vaping as the most frequent way of using cannabis was associated with greater likelihood of a past 30-day suicide attempt (aOR = 2.38, p=.002) and greater thoughts of suicide (b = 8.71, p=.020). Our study design does not enable us to determine the cause of these results, but they suggest it is important for adults to be aware of how adolescents are consuming cannabis, especially if it is occurring in the context of psychiatric disorders.

Source: JAACAP Open

DOI: 10.1016/j.jaacop.2024.03.003

Authors: Sarah A. Thomas, Elizabeth C. Thompson, Micaela M. Maron, Samuel N. Meisel, Anthony Spirito, Jennifer C. Wolff

Institutions: Brown University, Hasbro Children's Hospital, Rhode Island Hospital, Bradley Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Suicide and Self-Harm Studies

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,600