Relations entre les expériences dissociatives et la consommation de cannabis chez l'adolescent et le jeune adulte

The aim of the study was to evaluate the relations between cannabis use and dissociative experiences. A convenient sample of 212 subjects composed of high-school and college students completed questionnaires assessing cannabis use frequency, the symptoms of dependence, dissociative and borderline symptoms using the DES (Dissociative Experience Scale) completed by a sub-scale measuring hyper-personalization/ hyper-realization experiences and the BPI (Borderline Personality Inventory), respectively; 114 (54%) were cannabis users. Multiple regression analysis showed that the frequency of cannabis use was predicted by the frequency of experience of absorption and hyper-personalization and hyper-realization linked to cannabis use and that cannabis dependence was predicted only by borderline symptomatology. Dissociative experiences seeking appears to be an important element in the understanding of the reasons for cannabis use in adolescents and young adults.