UPPS-P model impulsivity and marijuana use behaviors in adolescents: A meta-analysis

•We studied the impulsivity-marijuana behavior relationship across trait and gender.•Multiple impulsivity traits were related to marijuana use behaviors.•Impulsivity was more strongly related to negative marijuana consequences.•Relationships were stronger in males.

BackgroundImpulsivity is often included as a risk factor in models of adolescent marijuana use behaviors; however, the magnitude of the association between impulsivity and marijuana use behaviors is variable across studies. The present study reviewed existent literature to 1) quantify the relationship between separable impulsivity-related traits and both marijuana use and negative marijuana consequences and 2) quantify the size of the effect of gender on these relationships.MethodThirty-eight studies (41 independent samples) were meta-analyzed using a random effects model to examine the relationship between impulsivity traits and marijuana use behaviors.ResultsMarijuana use was significantly related to all impulsivity-related traits except lack of perseverance (r's ranging from 0.13-0.23, p's < 0.01). Negative marijuana consequences were only significantly related to sensation seeking, lack of planning, and positive urgency (r's ranging from 0.37-0.39, p's < 0.01). Effects were small for marijuana use, but medium for negative marijuana consequences. Gender was not a significant moderator of any relationships.ConclusionsImpulsivity-related traits had more robust relationships with negative marijuana consequences than marijuana use, suggesting impulsivity-related traits are important in differentiating adolescents most likely to experience negative consequences from marijuana use. Few relationships examined gender and many of the impulsivity-related traits, other than sensation seeking. Data and trends suggest a more multi-dimensional approach to marijuana use and consequences is warranted.