Depressive Symptoms Predict Cannabis Initiation Among Mexican American Young Adults

Authors

• Srishty Arora, The University of Texas at Austin
• Caroline North, The University of Texas at Austin
• C. Nathan Marti, The University of Texas at Austin
• Seth J. Schwartz, The University of Texas at Austin
• Bara S. Bataineh, UTHealth Houston School of Public Health
• Liza Talavera-Garza, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Alexandra Loukas, The University of Texas at Austin
• Anna Wilkinson, The University of Texas School of Public Health

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-20-2026

Abstract

Background: Factors contributing to cannabis initiation among Hispanic young adults remain understudied. Methods: We examined the independent and interactive roles of depressive symptoms, family cohesion, and family conflict on cannabis initiation one year later among 616 18-29-year-old cannabis-naïve Mexican American college students in Texas. Results: Mixed-effects logistic regressions indicated that greater depressive symptoms predicted cannabis initiation one year later. Neither family cohesion nor family conflict moderated the depressive symptoms-cannabis initiation association. Conclusion: Mexican American young adults experiencing depressive symptoms may initiate cannabis use to cope with emotional distress. Additional research should examine the factors that drive cannabis initiation in this population.

Recommended Citation

Arora, S., North, C., Marti, C. N., Schwartz, S. J., Bataineh, B. S., Talavera-Garza, L., … Wilkinson, A. V. (2026). Depressive Symptoms Predict Cannabis Initiation Among Mexican American Young Adults. Substance Use & Misuse, 61(11), 1911–1920. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2026.2631797

First Page

1911

Last Page

1920

Publication Title

Substance Use and Misuse

DOI

10.1080/10826084.2026.2631797