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Psychology Student Attitudes and Beliefs Toward Cannabis for Mental Health Purposes: a Cross National Comparison

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Abstract

Medical and allied health sciences professionals are increasingly dealing with clients who use cannabis for medical and recreational purposes. Yet, university curricula in many countries do not provide education for students and professionals in medicine and allied health fields including psychology about medical cannabis (MC) use. This study compares the attitudes and beliefs toward medical cannabis among psychology students at universities in Malta and Russia. Data were collected through an online survey for Maltese students and a pen-and-paper survey for Russian students. The present study did not evidence any difference based on gender. However, students who reported personal cannabis use, regardless of country status, were more likely to recommend MC for patient treatment and believe cannabis use does not pose serious physical or mental health risks. Significant differences among the students from Malta and Russia may be attributed to the legal standing of MC in the countries involved. However, a key finding from all students is the dearth of education about cannabis for health-related conditions and the need for curricula based on evidence-based research for informed decision-making.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank University of Malta and Moscow State University of Psychology and Education administrators and student participants for their cooperation with this study. This research was conducted with the generous support from Drs. Toby and Mort Mower to the Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Regional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research (RADAR) Center.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty for Social Wellbeing, University of Malta, Msida, Malta

    Marilyn Clark & Jamie S. Bonnici

  2. Department of Social Psychology, Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Moscow, Russia

    Valentina Gritsenko & Tatyana Marinova

  3. Regional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Center, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel

    Alexander Reznik & Richard Isralowitz

Authors
  1. Marilyn Clark
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  2. Valentina Gritsenko
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  3. Jamie S. Bonnici
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  4. Tatyana Marinova
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  5. Alexander Reznik
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  6. Richard Isralowitz
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Correspondence to Richard Isralowitz.

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Clark, M., Gritsenko, V., Bonnici, J.S. et al. Psychology Student Attitudes and Beliefs Toward Cannabis for Mental Health Purposes: a Cross National Comparison. Int J Ment Health Addiction 19, 1866–1874 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00280-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00280-6

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