Typologies of Canadian young adults who drive after cannabis use : a two-step cluster analysis

Abstract

Young adults that drive after cannabis use (DACU) may not share all the same characteristics. This study aimed to iden-tify typologies of Canadians who engage in DACU. About 910 cannabis users with a driver's license (17–35years old) who have engaged in DACU completed an online question-naire. Two-step cluster analysis identified four subgroups, based on driving-related behaviors, cannabis use and related problems, and psychological distress. Complementary comparative analysis among the identified subgroups was performed as external validation. The identified subgroups were: (1) frequent cannabis users who regularly DACU; (2) individuals with generalized deviance with diverse risky road behaviors and high levels of psychological distress; (3) alco-hol and drug-impaired drivers who were also heavy frequent drinkers; and (4) well-adjusted youths with mild depres-sive-anxious symptoms. Individuals who engaged in DACU were not a homogenous group. When required, prevention and treatment need to be tailored according to the different profiles.