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Epidemiology, Health Implications, and Resilience Factors in Adolescent Marijuana Use: A Comprehensive Review

Received: 12 September 2023    Accepted: 4 October 2023    Published: 14 October 2023
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Abstract

Background: Marijuana is a very common illicit drug used across the United States and around the world. It has many adverse effects on adolescents and societal health. Among adolescents, it can cause chronic brain damage and psychoactive effects. This literature review aims to discuss topics concerning the epidemiology of marijuana use, adverse health consequences, and risk and protective factors. In addition, the concept of resilience was explored in-depth. Review: Most marijuana users start in their adolescence. As the legal and social perspective of marijuana is beginning to change, many adolescents are beginning to view marijuana as harmless. However, marijuana use has negative effects on adolescents, such as on their brain development and neurocognitive functions. To prevent adolescents from engaging in marijuana use, researchers have identified risk and protective factors. In our review, we identified more risk factors for marijuana use than protective factors. Understanding these factors can help in developing intervention approaches and nurturing positive adaptation skills. Finally, regarding resilience and marijuana use, two levels could be identified, namely asset and contextual resource levels. Conclusion: The prevalence of marijuana use was found to be increasing among adolescents. In addition, the adverse consequences of marijuana use on adolescents were found to be pronounced, with both long- and short-term effects. Lastly, extensive insights were gained on the risk and protective factors related to marijuana use. Further research in relation to marijuana use and adolescents should look into ethnicity differences, social and economic costs, as well as analyzing resilience-associated protective factors that can aid in developing preventive interventions regarding marijuana use.

Published in European Journal of Preventive Medicine (Volume 11, Issue 5)
DOI 10.11648/j.ejpm.20231105.13
Page(s) 75-81
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Adolescents, Cannabis, Marijuana, Health Consequences, Risk Factors, Protective Factors, Resilience

References
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  • APA Style

    Yajuan Gao. (2023). Epidemiology, Health Implications, and Resilience Factors in Adolescent Marijuana Use: A Comprehensive Review. European Journal of Preventive Medicine, 11(5), 75-81. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20231105.13

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    ACS Style

    Yajuan Gao. Epidemiology, Health Implications, and Resilience Factors in Adolescent Marijuana Use: A Comprehensive Review. Eur. J. Prev. Med. 2023, 11(5), 75-81. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20231105.13

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    AMA Style

    Yajuan Gao. Epidemiology, Health Implications, and Resilience Factors in Adolescent Marijuana Use: A Comprehensive Review. Eur J Prev Med. 2023;11(5):75-81. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20231105.13

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ejpm.20231105.13,
      author = {Yajuan Gao},
      title = {Epidemiology, Health Implications, and Resilience Factors in Adolescent Marijuana Use: A Comprehensive Review},
      journal = {European Journal of Preventive Medicine},
      volume = {11},
      number = {5},
      pages = {75-81},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ejpm.20231105.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20231105.13},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ejpm.20231105.13},
      abstract = {Background: Marijuana is a very common illicit drug used across the United States and around the world. It has many adverse effects on adolescents and societal health. Among adolescents, it can cause chronic brain damage and psychoactive effects. This literature review aims to discuss topics concerning the epidemiology of marijuana use, adverse health consequences, and risk and protective factors. In addition, the concept of resilience was explored in-depth. Review: Most marijuana users start in their adolescence. As the legal and social perspective of marijuana is beginning to change, many adolescents are beginning to view marijuana as harmless. However, marijuana use has negative effects on adolescents, such as on their brain development and neurocognitive functions. To prevent adolescents from engaging in marijuana use, researchers have identified risk and protective factors. In our review, we identified more risk factors for marijuana use than protective factors. Understanding these factors can help in developing intervention approaches and nurturing positive adaptation skills. Finally, regarding resilience and marijuana use, two levels could be identified, namely asset and contextual resource levels. Conclusion: The prevalence of marijuana use was found to be increasing among adolescents. In addition, the adverse consequences of marijuana use on adolescents were found to be pronounced, with both long- and short-term effects. Lastly, extensive insights were gained on the risk and protective factors related to marijuana use. Further research in relation to marijuana use and adolescents should look into ethnicity differences, social and economic costs, as well as analyzing resilience-associated protective factors that can aid in developing preventive interventions regarding marijuana use.},
     year = {2023}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Epidemiology, Health Implications, and Resilience Factors in Adolescent Marijuana Use: A Comprehensive Review
    AU  - Yajuan Gao
    Y1  - 2023/10/14
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    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20231105.13
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ejpm.20231105.13
    T2  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
    JF  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
    JO  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
    SP  - 75
    EP  - 81
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-8230
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20231105.13
    AB  - Background: Marijuana is a very common illicit drug used across the United States and around the world. It has many adverse effects on adolescents and societal health. Among adolescents, it can cause chronic brain damage and psychoactive effects. This literature review aims to discuss topics concerning the epidemiology of marijuana use, adverse health consequences, and risk and protective factors. In addition, the concept of resilience was explored in-depth. Review: Most marijuana users start in their adolescence. As the legal and social perspective of marijuana is beginning to change, many adolescents are beginning to view marijuana as harmless. However, marijuana use has negative effects on adolescents, such as on their brain development and neurocognitive functions. To prevent adolescents from engaging in marijuana use, researchers have identified risk and protective factors. In our review, we identified more risk factors for marijuana use than protective factors. Understanding these factors can help in developing intervention approaches and nurturing positive adaptation skills. Finally, regarding resilience and marijuana use, two levels could be identified, namely asset and contextual resource levels. Conclusion: The prevalence of marijuana use was found to be increasing among adolescents. In addition, the adverse consequences of marijuana use on adolescents were found to be pronounced, with both long- and short-term effects. Lastly, extensive insights were gained on the risk and protective factors related to marijuana use. Further research in relation to marijuana use and adolescents should look into ethnicity differences, social and economic costs, as well as analyzing resilience-associated protective factors that can aid in developing preventive interventions regarding marijuana use.
    VL  - 11
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    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Garfield Health Center, Monterey Park, California, The United States

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