Results of a pilot study examining the effect of positive psychology interventions on cannabis use and related consequences.

Background: Young adults experience high rates of cannabis use and consequences. Cross-sectional work has linked positive psychological constructs (e.g., savoring) to less cannabis use and consequences, and positive psychological interventions (PPIs) have shown promise in targeting other substance use behaviors. This pilot study sought to provide an initial test of PPIs to reduce young adult cannabis use and consequences.

Methods: Adults (18-25 years old) who endorsed at least weekly past-month cannabis use (N = 59, 69.6% men, 41.1% White) reported their baseline cannabis use and consequences. Participants were randomized to complete one of three daily exercises (Savoring, Three Good Things, or a control) along with daily text message surveys for two weeks, then completed a follow-up survey at the end of the two weeks.

Results: Paired samples t-tests indicated that participants in the Three Good Things group showed medium to large reductions in frequency of weekly cannabis use (p = .08, g = -0.57) and cannabis-associated consequences (p = .08, g = -0.57) from baseline to follow-up. In the Savoring and control groups, there were not significant changes in frequency of weekly cannabis use (Savoring: p = .39, g = 0.20; Control: p = .96, g = 0.01) nor cannabis-associated consequences (Savoring: p = .84, g = 0.05; Control: p = .45, g = -0.18). Participants in both positive psychology conditions reported the exercises were easy to complete, providing evidence for acceptability.

Discussion: Results provide initial support for the feasibility and potential promise of a text-message based PPI as a harm reduction approach for cannabis users. A larger clinical trial is warranted to test the effects of such interventions with adequate statistical power.