Decisional balance and processes of change in community-recruited with moderate-high versus mild severity of cannabis dependence.

Decisional Balance and Processes of Change are generally addressed in motivational interventions for the treatment of cannabis use disorders. However, specific aspects of these multifaceted constructs, with greater relevance for severe cannabis users, need to be ascertained to enable better interventions. This study aimed to compare the different facets of decisional balance and processes of change between mild and severe cannabis users in a community-based sample of young undergraduates. Thirty-one severe cannabis users and 31 mild cannabis users, indicated with the Severity of Dependence Scale, were assessed using the Decisional Balance Questionnaire (DBQ) and the Processes of Change Questionnaire (PCQ). We found that severe cannabis users had higher scores in the DBQ dimensions of Utilitarian Gains for the Self, Utilitarian Gains for Significant Others, and Self-approval, as well as in the total subscale of Gains but not Losses. The group of severe cannabis users also had higher scores in the PCQ dimensions of Self-revaluations and Counter-conditioning. Our results pinpoint specific dimensions of Decisional Balance and Processes of Change that are endorsed by severe cannabis users. This knowledge could be applied to inform motivational interventions targeting severe cannabis users.

Introduction

Cannabis is the most commonly used illegal drug in Europe; 14.6% of young adults (ages 15 to 34) have used cannabis within the past month (European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction [1]. Cannabis use has been associated with different behavioral, cognitive and emotional deficits, including apathy, disinhibition and executive dysfunction [2, 3]. In addition, cannabis use is associated with significant negative social consequences, may act as a gateway to the use of other substances, and can trigger or worsen psychotic symptoms [4, 5]. Recent calls for research have highlighted that severe cannabis users are more likely to experience these symptoms, and hence more likely to request treatment for cannabis use disorders [6-8].

Psychological treatments for cannabis use disorders have been largely grounded on the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change. This framework fostered the application of motivational interventions, which capitalise on motivational factors that can stimulate cannabis users to quit the drug [9-11]. The model emphasises the relevance of motivational factors, such as Decisional Balance and Processes of Change, as the leverage to facilitate behavioural change [12-14].

Decisional Balance involves weighing up the perceived advantages (gains) and disadvantages (losses) of using cannabis versus quitting cannabis. Cognitive processes linked to disadvantages of smoking and gains of quitting have shown to shift the decisional balance in favour of quitting as indicated by research in nicotine dependence [15]. However, these cognitive processes are multidimensional, including both gains and losses in four different aspects: 1) Anticipated utilitarian effects for the self; 2) Anticipated utilitarian effects for significant others; 3) Self approval; 4) Anticipated effect on how one is regarded by significant others. Empirical evidence suggests that in individuals that are ready to change their behavior, the cognitive processes linked to the benefits exceed the ones of the costs [16]. Accordingly, decisional balance measures have been shown to predict clinical outcomes in nicotine use [17] and alcohol use disorders [12, 18].

The Processes of Change represent 10 different behavioural and experiential strategies for changing behaviour. They have been classified in cognitive-affective processes (defined as changes in the way people think and feel about their smoking) versus behavioural processes (defined as coping strategies that are utilized to change cannabis use behavior). Cognitive-affective processes include consciousness raising (CR), Dramatic Relief (DR), Environmental Re-evaluation (ER), Self-revaluation (SR), and Social Liberation (SO). Behavioural processes include Stimulus Control (SC), Counter Conditioning (CC), Reinforcement Management (RM), Self- Liberation (SL), and Helping Relationships (HR). Cognitive-affective processes are more often utilized during early stages of change, fostering awareness and control of thoughts, feelings and health-related goals [13, 14] and behavioural processes are more typical in later stages of change [19, 20].

Decisional Balance and Processes of Change facets are typically addressed in some of the most successful treatment interventions for cannabis dependence, such as motivational interventions. However, it would be relevant to determine which of these facets are actually endorsed by severe cannabis users, as the facets that better resonate with their own motivations will be likely to have stronger therapeutic effects. To address this unmet need, this study aims to compare Decisional Balance and Processes of Change in severe versus mild to moderate cannabis users in a community-based sample of young undergraduates. This comparison will identify the specific dimensions of Decisional Balance and Processes of Change that are endorsed by severe cannabis users, which are similar to treatment-seeking populations. Therefore, the results obtained in this community sample can be useful to inform the contents of motivational interventions in clinical samples. We hypothesised that severe cannabis users compared to mild users: 1) would endorse less gains and more losses related to using cannabis; 2) would endorse more behavioral and less cognitive processes of change.

Methods

Participants

The sample comprised community-dwelling young adults between 17 and 45 years of age, recruited from the student population of the University of Granada. Participants were recruited by university faculty during class breaks and were selected using a probabilistic sampling design. In particular, a cluster stratified sample design was adopted. Strata were based on the different university faculties. Cluster samples were extracted such that majors and years of study were represented in proportion to the total number of students in each faculty. Finally all students of the cluster sample were included in the final sample. There were 856 student participants recruited between September 2013 and June 2014. They were informed about the aims of the study and provided signed informed consent. Ethical approval was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee from the University of Granada.

All 856 participants completed the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) and 115 reported that they were cannabis users. We divided these 115 cannabis users in two groups. The first group comprised cannabis users of moderate severity (n = 84) and the second group comprised severe cannabis users (n = 31) as indicated by the SDS cut-off defined by Cuenca-Royo et al. [21]. In order to get similar sample sizes for group comparisons, we selected a random subsample of 31 moderate cannabis users by simple random sampling without replacement. The socio-demographic characteristics and variables related to cannabis smoking in the final sample can be seen in Table 1. We found sex differences in the severity of cannabis use: the moderate group consisted mostly of women and the severe group consisted mostly of men.

Table 1

Baseline demographic and variables related to cannabis smoking of the participants classified in each of these categories (moderate versus severe).

Variables	MODERATE	SEVERE	F/ χ 2
Age (mean and SD)	20.81 (2.09)	22.58 (3.23)	6.588Ns
Gender (N)
Male (Female)	10 (21)	24 (7)	12.765**
Tobacco dependence [Fagerström] (mean and SD)	.87 (1.56)	2.10 (2.25)	6.178Ns

**p< 0.001

Measures

The protocol used is included in Supporting information (S1 Table) and includes the following measures.

The Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS [22])

The severity of cannabis use was measured using the Spanish version of the SDS [21]. The SDS is a 5-item questionnaire with a 4-point Likert scales (from 0 to 3) that has been reported to be a reliable and valid screening instrument for the severity of dependence in a population of cannabis users. Total scores range from 0 to 15, with 15 representing the highest level of dependency. The psychometric properties of the SDS have been well established in adult and adolescent populations. It demonstrates high test-retest correlations and good internal consistency [23]. The cut-off scores vary between 2 and 4, where 4 was adopted to define cannabis dependence with optimal discrimination [24]. The psychometric properties of the Spanish version show high internal consistency (alpha = 0.82) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.83). The cut-offs recommended are 3 to define moderate cannabis dependence and 7 for severe cannabis dependence [21].

Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND [25])

This instrument measures the intensity of physical addiction to nicotine. We was used the Spanish version [26]. The test is composed of 6 items with two or four response alternatives that evaluates the quantity of cigarettes consumed, the compulsion and dependence. The total score ranges between 0 and 10, where 1–2 = very low dependence; 3–4 = low dependence; 5 = medium dependence; 6–7 = high dependence; 8–10 = very high dependence.

Decisional balance for cannabis abusers [16]

In the context of cannabis use the Decisional Balance questionnaire evaluates the costs and benefits (also referred to as pros and cons) of continuing to use cannabis [27, 28]. It is a 42-item Likert scale questionnaire assessing advantages (21 items) and disadvantages (21 items) associated with cannabis dependence. Participants respond using a 5-point Likert scale indicating the importance of various statements for the person’s decision to smoke cannabis (1 = not important at all, 2 = slightly important, 3 = moderately important, 4 = very important, 5 = extremely important). The Decisional Balance questionnaire can identify patients who are motivated or unmotivated to quit or undergo treatment [16, 29].

The Processes of Change Questionnaire (PCQ [30])

This questionnaire evaluates the Process of Change as a personal mechanism that permits progression from one stage to another. It includes 30 items that evaluates 10 different processes using a 5-point Likert scale that measures the frequency of use in the past month (1 = Never to 5 = Repeatedly). This questionnaire was designed to assess the frequency in which participants make use of experiential processes (consciousness raising, self-reevaluation, dramatic relief, environmental reevaluation, and social liberation), and behavioral processes (counter-conditioning, stimulus control, reinforcement management, self-liberation, and helping relationships) to change cannabis abuse. Internal consistency was established with alpha coefficients ranging from .69 to .92 [31-34].

Statistical analyses

We conducted two multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA) using Group as the independent variable (as defined by the SDS cut-offs: Severe versus Mild to moderate users) and the scores of the different dimensions of Decisional Balance (DBQ) and Processes of Change (PCQ) as the two dependent variables. These MANOVAs were followed by univariate between-group ANOVAs on the different dimensions of the DBQ and the PCQ. All analyses were replicated using sex and tobacco dependence indicated by the Fagerström Test as covariates.

Results

We found a significant effect of Group on Decisional Balance (Wilks' Lambda = 0.051, F11,50 = 83.900; p< 0.001; Eta = 0.949). Univariate tests of between-group effects revealed significant effects of Group on the total score of Gains (F1,60 = 20.188; Mean Squared Error [Mce] = 2567.76; p< 0.001; Eta = 0.252) and in the specific dimensions of Utilitarian Gains for the Self (F1,60 = 21.841; Mce = 276.79; p< 0.001; Eta = 0.267), Utilitarian Gains for Significant Others (F1,60 = 9.622; Mce = 60.016; p< 0.003; Eta = 0.138) and Self-approval (F1,60 = 12,281; Mce = 236.145; p< 0.001; Eta = 0.170). In all cases, the severe group had higher scores than the mild group. There were no significant differences in Losses. Mean, standard deviations and significance are presented in Table 2.

Table 2

Mean and typical deviation to evaluate status cannabis abuse decisional balance and process of change.

DECISIONAL BALANCE	GROUPS CANNABIS		F	Eta
	MODERATE	SEVERE
	MEAN (SD)	MEAN (SD)
Utilitarian gains for self	8.19 (3.2)	12.42 (4.03)	21.841**	.267
Utilitarian gains for significant others	5.23 (1.71)	7.19 (3.09)	9.622*	.138
Self-approval	8.71 (4.54)	12.61 (4.22)	12.281*	.170
Gains social approval	6.35 (2.09)	7.94 (3.40)	4.872Ns	.075
Gains special items	2.77 (1.38)	3.77 (1.84)	5.855Ns	.089
TOTAL GAINS	31.26 (9.78)	44.13 12.60)	20.188**	.252
Utilitarian losses for self	11.03 (5.70)	14.10 (3.69)	6.303Ns	.095
Utilitarian losses for significant others	8.23 (4.62)	9.74 (3.66)	2.049Ns	.033
Self-disapproval	9.39 (4.54)	11.13 (3.23)	3.032Ns	.048
Losses social disapproval	8.23 (5.12)	10.65 (3.08)	5.075Ns	.078
TOTAL LOSSES	36.90 (18.60)	45.61 (10.60)	5.131Ns	.079
PROCESS OF CHANGE
Consciousness Raising	4.13 (4.46)	5.65 (3.79)	2.078 Ns	.033
Self Re-evaluation	1.48 (2.76)	4.42 (3.24)	14.751**	.197
Environment Re-evaluation	2.23 (3.26)	2.23 (3.26)	2.716 Ns	.043
Dramatic Relief	1.35 (2.37)	2.19 (2.10	2.167 Ns	.035
Self- liberation	2.58 (3.90)	5.42 (3.87)	4.343 Ns	.067
Social Liberation	3.65 (3.99)	5.42 (3.87)	3.159 Ns	.050
Reinforcement management	1.81 (3.48)	3.26 (2.67)	3.398 Ns	.054
Helping Relationships	2.16 (3.44)	4.77 (3.60)	8.539 Ns	.125
Counter-conditioning	2.23 (3.50)	4.87 (2.99)	10.249*	.146
Stimulus Control	1.52 (2.71)	1.68 (2.45)	.060 Ns	.001

**p< 0.001

*p< 0.01

We also found a significant effect of Group on Process of Change (Wilks' Lambda = 0.357, F10,51 = 9.175; p < 0.001; Eta = 0.643). Univariate tests of between-group effects revealed significant effects of Group on Self-Reevaluation (F1,60 = 14.751; Mce = 133.565; p< 0.001; Eta = 0.197) and Counter-Conditioning (F1,60 = 10.249; Mce = 108.452; p< 0.01; Eta = 0. 146). In all cases, the severe group had higher scores than the mild group. Mean, standard deviations and significance are presented in Table 2.

Covariates analyses including tobacco dependence and sex did not changed the above-reported findings.

Discussion

The aim of this study was to compare the different dimensions of Decisional Balance and Processes of Change in community-recruited participants with severe versus mild cannabis dependence, as indicated by the SDS. With regard to Decisional Balance we found that the severe group had higher scores in Utilitarian Gains for the Self, Utilitarian Gains for Significant Others, Self-approval and total Gains. Both severe and mild users perceived similar losses. With regard to processes of change we found that the severe group had higher scores in Self-revaluation and Counter-conditioning. These findings suggest that severe cannabis users are more aware of the potential gains of quitting the drug, and make more use of behavioral processes of change, compared to mild users. They also identify the specific processes that they use to foster self-change, which may be relevant to inform the contents of motivational interventions.

The Decisional Balance findings suggest that severe cannabis users can better perceive the importance of specific gains associated with cannabis use cessation. Utilitarian Gains for the Self (smoking cannabis does not help me to concentrate); Utilitarian Gains for Others (my cannabis use bothers other people) and Self approval (I am embarrassed to smoke cannabis) are specifically endorsed. These dimensions have shown to be associated with positive behavioral changes after treatment interventions in alcohol and tobacco dependent users [12, 17, 18]. Our results suggest that they could be effectively applied during motivational interventions for cannabis dependence.

The Processes of Change findings suggest that severe cannabis users are more likely to use particular behavioral Processes of Change (Self-revaluation and Counter-conditioning), whereas they did not differ from mild cannabis users with regards to cognitive Processes of Change. These behavioral Change Processes have been shown to be associated with reduction of problematic drug use in clinical samples [9– 14]. They are also associated with positive transitions within the stages of change [19, 20]. Therefore, these findings can also inform the design of motivational interventions for cannabis dependence. The implication of these findings is that severe cannabis users may be more sensitive to behavioral versus cognitive ingredients of these motivational interventions. Moreover, they imply that Self-Reevaluation and Counter-conditioning could be immediately applied in treatment-seeking cannabis users at the beginning of the treatment process.

In conclusion, our results are preliminary and need to be complemented by direct research on the treatment pathways of motivational interventions in cannabis dependence. Recent meta-analytical studies have examined these mechanisms, but have focused in the interventions format and design, but not specifically in the motivational ingredients [35, 36]. Our preliminary results can stimulate further research in this topic.

The protocol used in the study.

(DOCX)

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The SPSS data file.

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