Patterns of Cannabis Use and Impacts on Communication and Relationship Satisfaction

This dissertation looked at patterns of cannabis use and impacts on communication and relationship satisfaction in couples that have been co-habitating for at least a year. A sample of 299 individual participants aged 21-69 were split into groups to look at concordant (where both partners either used or abstained from cannabis use) and discordant (where one partner used and the other abstained) relationship dynamics. The research revealed significant differences in communication and relationship satisfaction across these groups. Individuals in concordantabstaining partnerships reported higher levels of communication and relationship satisfaction compared to concordant-using couples. The lowest satisfaction levels were observed in discordant couples. This research also examined the frequency and quantity of cannabis use and their correlation with relationship dynamics. These findings highlighted the complex role of cannabis use in romantic relationships and addressed a gap in the existing literature. These outcomes also suggested implications and offered valuable insight for therapeutic practices and future research in counseling psychology.