An Application of Deviance Regulation Theory on Indices of Cannabis Involvement in a Sample of Egyptian Young Adults

Abstract

Introduction and Aims: Cannabis use is increasingly common among young adults in Egypt. There is a lack of research on cannabis interventions among this group. This study examines Deviance Regulation Theory (DRT), a social-conformity based intervention, as a way to change indices of cannabis use among Egyptian college students. Design and Methods: Participants were n = 399 Egyptian college students. Participants reported cannabis use and perceived use norms. They were randomly assigned to receive a positively framed message about those who do not use cannabis or negatively framed message about those who do use cannabis. They then reported cannabis use intentions and self-disappointment (i.e., how disappointed in themselves they would feel) if they were to use cannabis. Results: Logistic regression results were that decreased odds of extreme self-disappointment associated with the belief that cannabis use was infrequent when presented with a negative frame about those who use cannabis. There were lower odds of extreme self-disappointment for participants who believed cannabis use was frequent when presented a positive frame about those who do not use cannabis. Both findings contradict DRT. Moderation results were that, among a small sample (n = 25), reporting less than extreme self-disappointment, there was an increase in self-disappointment in the negative frame as cannabis use norms decreased and an increase in self-disappointment in the positive frame as cannabis norms increased. Both findings are consistent with DRT. Discussion and Conclusions: Results were largely counter to US samples. These findings highlight the importance of identifying individuals who hold differing views on the acceptability of cannabis use in order to provide targeted messaging about cannabis use among Egyptian emerging adults.