research on addiction

Objective: The present study aimed to compare executive functions, working memory, and selective attention between adolescents with and without cannabis use. Method: This study was a causal-comparative research. The statistical population comprised all 16- to 20-year-old adolescents using cannabis who were referred to addiction treatment centers, as well as non-cannabis-using adolescents, in the city of Kerman in 2024. The research sample consisted of 70 cannabis-using adolescents and 70 non-cannabis-using adolescents selected via convenience sampling. Participants were evaluated by the Stroop test, the Wisconsin card sorting test, and the working memory test. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Results: The findings of MANOVA showed that there was a significant difference between the two groups of adolescents with and without cannabis use in the mean scores of executive functions, working memory, and selective attention. Specifically, cannabis-using adolescents scored lower on the variables of executive functions, working memory, and selective attention compared to non-cannabis-using adolescents. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that cannabis use can lead to the emergence of cognitive impairments, such as a decline in executive functioning, working memory, and selective attention, among adolescent cannabis users. Therefore, raising adolescents' awareness of the negative impacts of cognitive problems can be effective in preventing cannabis use.