Presentation Information
[P-4-02]Development and Preliminary Validation of the Problematic Cannabis Use Assessment Scale: Early Psychometric Evidence from a Clinical Sample
*SungMin Kim1,3, YoungHoon Chon2, SuJi Jung3, NaRae Lee2, Kyuil Hwang5, Miju Kang1,3, DaiJin Kim1,4, JiWon Chun3,5 (1.Department of Medical Sciences, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine(Korea), 2.Incheon Chamsarang Hospital, Incheon, Republic of Korea(Korea), 3.Department of Medical Informatics, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea(Korea), 4.Department of Psychiatry, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea(Korea), 5.The Catholic Medical Center Institute for Basic Medical Science, The Catholic Medical Center of The Catholic University of Korea, Republic of Korea(Korea))
Keywords:
Cannabis use disorder,Problematic cannabis use,Scale validation
Background: Increasing access to cannabis and cannabis-derived products has raised concerns about problematic use patterns, particularly in younger populations. Despite growing clinical attention, standardized tools to assess the behavioral and emotional aspects of cannabis misuse remain limited.Objective: This study aimed to develop and conduct a preliminary psychometric evaluation of the Problematic Cannabis Use Assessment Scale (PCAS), a self-report instrument designed to identify key dimensions of cannabis-related problems.Methods: The 19-item scale was constructed based on the DSM-5 criteria for cannabis use disorder. Responses were rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Data were collected from 118 individuals undergoing treatment for cannabis use (mean age=33.1 years, 75.4% male). Analyses included internal consistency and correlations with existing cannabis-related tools, substance use measures, and mental health indicators.Results: The PCAS demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α=0.959). Strong positive correlations were observed with measures of cannabis screening, withdrawal, craving, and compulsivity, particularly emotionality and impulsivity. No significant associations were found with depression, anxiety, perceived stress, or alcohol use, supporting the scale’s discriminant validity.Conclusion: The PCAS demonstrated excellent psychometric properties with robust internal consistency and convergent validity, while maintaining discriminant validity from general mental health measures. The study suggested that PCAS has potential as a standardized clinical tool for assessing behavioral and emotional dimensions.