Publication Date

2025

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Jenni Teeters, Matt Woodward, Diane Lickenbrock

Degree Program

Department of Psychological Sciences

Degree Type

Master of Science

Abstract

Chronic pain is a widespread condition affecting thousands in the U.S. While both men and women face chronic pain, women are disproportionately diagnosed, experiencing 25% more diagnoses annually than men (Rapp et al., 2021). Despite this, little research has explored chronic pain or chronic pelvic pain or their potential links to past trauma (e.g., sexual assault). First-line treatments like opioids carry a high risk for misuse, with women more likely to fall into dependency (McHugh, 2020). As a result, many seek alternative treatments such as cannabis. Understanding the patterns, frequency, risk, and benefits of cannabis use among biological women with chronic pain is essential to assessing its therapeutic potential and risk for dependence. This study examines cannabis use patterns among emerging adult women (18-29) with chronic pain. It explores use frequency, administration methods, and cannabis-related problems. It also examines the impact of past sexual trauma on pain, cannabis use, and cannabisrelated problems. Using a survey distributed via Prolific Academic, we analyzed the relationships between chronic pain, chronic pelvic pain, sexual trauma history, cannabis use frequency, and cannabis use disorder symptoms among a sample of emerging adult women (N= 301). Findings showed significant associations among these variables (i.e., chronic pain, trauma history, cannabis use frequency). However, moderation analyses did not find sexual trauma history significantly influenced the relationship between chronic pain/chronic pelvic pain and cannabis use frequency/disorder. These findings contribute to the discourse on alternative pain management and highlights the need for further research on cannabis as a therapeutic option for young adult women with chronic pain.

Disciplines

Clinical Psychology | Health Psychology | Pain Management | Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences

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