Measuring Cannabis Consumption: Psychometric Properties of the Daily Sessions, Frequency, Age of Onset, and Quantity of Cannabis Use Inventory (DFAQ-CU)

Overview

Journal PLoS One

Specialties General Medicine
Science

Date 2017 May 30

PMID 28552942

Citations 123

Authors

Carrie Cuttler

Alexander Spradlin

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: We created the Daily Sessions, Frequency, Age of Onset, and Quantity of Cannabis Use Inventory (DFAQ-CU) because the current lack of psychometrically sound inventories for measuring these dimensions of cannabis use has impeded research on the effects of cannabis in humans.

Method: A sample of 2,062 cannabis users completed the DFAQ-CU and was used to assess the DFAQ-CU's factor structure and reliability. To assess validity, a subsample of 645 participants completed additional measures of cannabis dependence and problems (Marijuana Smoking History Questionnaire [MSHQ], Timeline Followback [TLFB], Cannabis Abuse Screening Test [CAST], Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test Revised [CUDIT-R], Cannabis Use Problems Identification Test [CUPIT], and Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test [AUDIT]).

Results: A six-factor structure was revealed, with factors measuring: daily sessions, frequency, age of onset, marijuana quantity, cannabis concentrate quantity, and edibles quantity. The factors were reliable, with Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranging from .69 (daily sessions) to .95 (frequency). Results further provided evidence for the factors' convergent (MSHQ, TLFB), predictive (CAST, CUDIT-R, CUPIT), and discriminant validity (AUDIT).

Conclusions: The DFAQ-CU is the first psychometrically sound inventory for measuring frequency, age of onset, and quantity of cannabis use. It contains pictures of marijuana to facilitate the measurement of quantity of marijuana used, as well as questions to assess the use of different forms of cannabis (e.g., concentrates, edibles), methods of administering cannabis (e.g., joints, hand pipes, vaporizers), and typical THC levels. As such, the DFAQ-CU should help facilitate research on frequency, quantity, and age of onset of cannabis use.

Citing Articles

Relation of Cannabis Use Frequency and Gambling Behavior in Individuals Who Gamble Under the Influence of Cannabis.

McPhail A, Whelan J, Ginley M, Pfund R J Gambl Stud. 2025; .

PMID: 40029477 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-025-10381-3.

Acute Stress Effect on Delay Discounting and Cannabis Demand Among Individuals Endorsing High-Frequency Cannabis Use.

Chang Y, Rubey R, Ladd B Cannabis. 2025; 8(1):21-39.

PMID: 39968482 PMC: 11831905. DOI: 10.26828/cannabis/2024/000275.

Evaluations of State Medical Cannabis Programs in the USA: A Narrative Review.

Franks L, Cochran G, Reeves C, Incze M, Hardy C, Gordon A Med Cannabis Cannabinoids. 2024; 7(1):243-256.

PMID: 39639992 PMC: 11620772. DOI: 10.1159/000542472.

Considerations for Anesthesia in Older Adults with Cannabis Use.

Ahrens E, Wachtendorf L, Hill K, Schaefer M Drugs Aging. 2024; 41(12):933-943.

PMID: 39617807 DOI: 10.1007/s40266-024-01161-6.

Multimodal examination of daily stress rhythms in chronic Cannabis users.

Glodosky N, Cleveland M, Azghan R, Ghasemzadeh H, McLaughlin R, Cuttler C Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2024; .

PMID: 39500774 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06709-3.

References

Ehrenreich H, Rinn T, Kunert H, Moeller M, Poser W, Schilling L . Specific attentional dysfunction in adults following early start of cannabis use. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1999; 142(3):295-301. DOI: 10.1007/s002130050892. View

GREENFIELD S, OLeary G . Sex differences in marijuana use in the United States. Harv Rev Psychiatry. 1999; 6(6):297-303. DOI: 10.3109/10673229909017207. View

Fals-Stewart W, OFarrell T, Freitas T, McFarlin S, Rutigliano P . The timeline followback reports of psychoactive substance use by drug-abusing patients: psychometric properties. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2000; 68(1):134-44. DOI: 10.1037//0022-006x.68.1.134. View

Alexander D . A marijuana screening inventory (experimental version): description and preliminary psychometric properties. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2003; 29(3):619-46. DOI: 10.1081/ada-120023462. View

Martin C, Clifford P, Clapper R . Patterns and predictors of simultaneous and concurrent use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and hallucinogens in first-year college students. J Subst Abuse. 1992; 4(3):319-26. DOI: 10.1016/0899-3289(92)90039-z. View

Daumann J, Hensen G, Thimm B, Rezk M, Till B, Gouzoulis-Mayfrank E . Self-reported psychopathological symptoms in recreational ecstasy (MDMA) users are mainly associated with regular cannabis use: further evidence from a combined cross-sectional/longitudinal investigation. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2004; 173(3-4):398-404. DOI: 10.1007/s00213-003-1719-0. View

Alexander D, Leung P . The Marijuana Screening Inventory (MSI-X): concurrent, convergent and discriminant validity with multiple measures. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2006; 32(3):351-78. DOI: 10.1080/00952990600753594. View

Gray K, Watson N, Christie D . Challenges in quantifying marijuana use. Am J Addict. 2009; 18(2):178-9. PMC: 2688383. DOI: 10.1080/10550490902772579. View

Bonn-Miller M, Zvolensky M . An evaluation of the nature of marijuana use and its motives among young adult active users. Am J Addict. 2009; 18(5):409-16. DOI: 10.3109/10550490903077705. View

10.

Creemers H, Dijkstra J, Vollebergh W, Ormel J, Verhulst F, Huizink A . Predicting life-time and regular cannabis use during adolescence; the roles of temperament and peer substance use: the TRAILS study. Addiction. 2010; 105(4):699-708. DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2009.02819.x. View

11.

Adamson S, Kay-Lambkin F, Baker A, Lewin T, Thornton L, Kelly B . An improved brief measure of cannabis misuse: the Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test-Revised (CUDIT-R). Drug Alcohol Depend. 2010; 110(1-2):137-43. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.02.017. View

12.

Bashford J, Flett R, Copeland J . The Cannabis Use Problems Identification Test (CUPIT): development, reliability, concurrent and predictive validity among adolescents and adults. Addiction. 2010; 105(4):615-25. DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2009.02859.x. View

13.

Fontes M, Bolla K, Cunha P, Almeida P, Jungerman F, Laranjeira R . Cannabis use before age 15 and subsequent executive functioning. Br J Psychiatry. 2011; 198(6):442-7. DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.110.077479. View

14.

Robinson S, Sobell L, Sobell M, Leo G . Reliability of the Timeline Followback for cocaine, cannabis, and cigarette use. Psychol Addict Behav. 2013; 28(1):154-62. DOI: 10.1037/a0030992. View

15.

Lisdahl K, Gilbart E, Wright N, Shollenbarger S . Dare to delay? The impacts of adolescent alcohol and marijuana use onset on cognition, brain structure, and function. Front Psychiatry. 2013; 4:53. PMC: 3696957. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2013.00053. View

16.

Loflin M, Earleywine M . A new method of cannabis ingestion: the dangers of dabs?. Addict Behav. 2014; 39(10):1430-3. DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2014.05.013. View

17.

Asbridge M, Duff C, Marsh D, Erickson P . Problems with the identification of 'problematic' cannabis use: examining the issues of frequency, quantity, and drug use environment. Eur Addict Res. 2014; 20(5):254-67. DOI: 10.1159/000360697. View

18.

Lopez-Pelayo H, Batalla A, Balcells M, Colom J, Gual A . Assessment of cannabis use disorders: a systematic review of screening and diagnostic instruments. Psychol Med. 2014; 45(6):1121-33. DOI: 10.1017/S0033291714002463. View

19.

Okaneku J, Vearrier D, McKeever R, LaSala G, Greenberg M . Change in perceived risk associated with marijuana use in the United States from 2002 to 2012. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2015; 53(3):151-5. DOI: 10.3109/15563650.2015.1004581. View

20.

Daniulaityte R, Nahhas R, Wijeratne S, Carlson R, Lamy F, Martins S . "Time for dabs": Analyzing Twitter data on marijuana concentrates across the U.S. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2015; 155:307-11. PMC: 4581982. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.07.1199. View