# Examination of naturally occurring marijuana-specific self-regulation processes among young adult frequent marijuana users in a community sample using an ecological momentary assessment design

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2020 · $187,247

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 Marijuana (MJ) use is prevalent among young adults (YAs) and has remained stable or slightly increased
(Schulenberg et al., 2019), while MJ use disorders have risen considerably (Hasin et al., 2015). MJ use has
been linked to consequences, including motor vehicle accidents (Volkow et al., 2014). Self-regulation
processes are central to substance use behaviors. Some YAs may intend to reduce their use on certain days
but almost never manage to do so, while other YAs may intend to reduce their use and are generally
successful. The circumstances under which YAs may limit their marijuana use or consequences in response to
changes in psychological states and contextual factors is not well understood. This application addresses this
gap by elucidating the extent to which YAs engage in MJ-specific self-regulation processes in their everyday
behavior and their natural environment and will identify psychological and contextual factors associated with
variability in MJ-specific self-regulation both across days and throughout the day. This project will recruit a
community sample of YAs ages 18-29 years (N = 200), who use MJ regularly (15 or more days in the past
month). YAs may regulate or limit their MJ use or consequences in a variety of ways, such as using smaller
quantities on a given day to minimize interference with other responsibilities. Accordingly, self-regulation is
best viewed as a dynamic process that varies both across days and throughout the day. Psychological (e.g.,
craving, anxiety, depression) and contextual (e.g., alcohol and tobacco use) factors may partly explain when
YAs are more or less likely to limit their MJ use or consequences. Craving and social anxiety have been linked
to MJ use among college students using daily survey designs (Buckner et al., 2012a, 2012b; Phillips et al.,
2015). MJ use and/or consequences among YAs have also been associated with depressive symptoms and
anxiety, although associations may be more pronounced among females (Buckner et al. 2007; Wright et al.,
2016). This project uses a rigorous ecological momentary assessment (EMA) design in which YAs report on
their behavior and related psychological and contextual factors 4x/day for two consecutive weeks (56 web-
based surveys per person). The aims are to: (1) examine complex associations between MJ-specific self-
regulation processes and MJ use/consequences both across days and throughout the day; (2) examine
complex associations among psychological states (e.g., craving, anxiety) and contextual factors (e.g., alcohol
and tobacco use) in relation to MJ-specific self-regulation and using more MJ than intended; and (3) evaluate
between-person and daily-level moderators to determine for whom and when associations may be stronger.
The knowledge gained can inform current self-regulation theories, be used in existing interventions to better
support active change or discuss commonly encountered obstacles to limiting one’s MJ use, and be used ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10055742
- **Project number:** 1R21DA050131-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Anne Marie Fairlie
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $187,247
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-30 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10055742

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10055742, Examination of naturally occurring marijuana-specific self-regulation processes among young adult frequent marijuana users in a community sample using an ecological momentary assessment design (1R21DA050131-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10055742. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*