Sex Moderates Associations Between Dimensions of Emotion Dysregulation and Problematic Cannabis Use.

The current study examined whether sex moderates associations between emotion dysregulation (overall and six dimensions of emotion dysregulation) and problematic cannabis use. 741 adult past-month cannabis users (31.44% female) completed questionnaires on problematic cannabis use (Marijuana Problems Scale) and emotion dysregulation (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale). Mann-Whitney U tests and hierarchical multiple linear regressions were performed. Male cannabis users reported greater difficulties with overall emotion dysregulation, nonacceptance, goals, impulse, strategies, and clarity. Overall emotion dysregulation, nonacceptance, goals, impulse, and strategies were associated with more severe problematic cannabis use, with relationships weaker in female cannabis users. Lack of emotional awareness was associated with less severe problematic cannabis use in male cannabis users only. Examining individual differences in emotion dysregulation as they relate to problematic cannabis use suggests that treatments may need to be tailored for male cannabis users with a focus on specific emotion dysregulation dimensions.