Marijuana can make you misperceive your relationships

The results may help couples where at least one partner uses cannabis to better manage conflict resolution and discussions.

According to Rutgers research, cannabis users tend to be less aware of the problematic relationship dynamics they can employ with their partners while resolving a disagreement.

A joint study by Rutgers University and Mount Holyoke College found that cannabis users may be unaware of potentially problematic dynamics and believe their methods of dealing with conflict in romantic relationships are better than they really are.

The study is one of the few examining how cannabis use relates to couples’ bonding and was published in the journal drug and alcohol addiction. According to researchers, the findings may help couples in which at least one person uses cannabis navigate conflict resolution and discussions more smoothly.

“We looked at several indicators of how relationships function: how satisfied and engaged people are with their relationship, their behavior and physiology during a laboratory-based conflict interaction, and their perceptions about their conflict discussion and relationship afterwards,” said author Jessica Salvatore, an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

In the study, 145 couples with at least one cannabis user were asked how often they used the drug and how satisfied they were with their relationship. The researchers recorded the couples talking about a significant cause of conflict for 10 minutes and analyzed the physiological stress response during that time by monitoring their heart rate and breathing.

The couples then talked about their matches for five minutes. The researchers then asked participants about the effectiveness of the discussions and their satisfaction with the outcome.

Two groups of experienced raters watched the videos and rated each partner’s conflict behavior using separate five-point measures, including avoidance (distracting, bypassing, or avoiding areas of disagreement) and negative engagement (demanding change, criticizing, or blaming).

A separate panel of evaluators assessed the partners’ ability to take the conflict, regardless of the resolution, to discussion about agreements and positive aspects of their relationship. They gave low scores when participants made no significant contributions to discussing positive aspects of the relationship, and high scores when they identified areas of agreement or positive aspects of the relationship, or when they elaborated on their partner’s suggestions.

Researchers found that participants who used cannabis more frequently exhibited less parasympathetic withdrawal during their interactions with their partner—suggesting a reduced ability to respond flexibly to stress. They also voiced more criticism and demands, avoided conflict in conversation, and were less able to reorient themselves to discussing the positive aspects of their relationship. Paradoxically, however, when asked how they felt the conflict talk went, cannabis users reported greater satisfaction with how the conflict was resolved and indicated that they had not employed any demand or avoidance strategies.

“The assessments of cannabis users were almost the exact opposite of what independent evaluators found,” Salvatore said. “However, it is important to note that the results of this study do not imply that overall cannabis use is good or bad for relationships. Rather, it gives an insight into how couples can better master conflicts and find a solution. If you don’t see problems, you can’t solve them.”

Reference: “Relational Perceptions and Conflict Behaviors Among Cannabis Users” by Katherine C. Haydon and Jessica E. Salvatore, July 4, 2022 drug and alcohol addiction.
DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109502

The study was conducted in collaboration with Katherine C. Haydon, an associate professor in the Department of Psychology and Education at Mount Holyoke College.