Evaluation of the daily sessions, frequency, age of onset, and quantity questionnaire and its relations to cannabis-related problems

Cannabis use and the prevalence of cannabis use disorder (CUD) among emerging adults are on the rise. Several indicators of cannabis use (e.g., quantity, frequency) as they relate to negative outcomes have been posited in the extant literature. Despite research examining links between indicators and cannabis outcomes, few assessments of cannabis use indicators exist. The Daily Sessions, Frequency, Age of Onset, and Quantity of Cannabis Use Inventory (DFAQ-CU) was developed to assess cannabis use across a range of factors. However, the factor structure of the DFAQ-CU has not been validated. Further, the DFAQ-CU was modeled using reflective strategies despite formative strategies being conceptually appropriate. The present study utilized principal components analyses (PCA), principle axis factoring (PAF), and maximum likelihood factor analysis (MLFA) to evaluate the structure of the DFAQ-CU. PCA yielded a four-component solution; PAF and MLFA resulted in five-factor solutions. Comparison of models suggests that all modeling approaches fail to achieve simple structure and are not appropriate for items of the DFAQ-CU. A series of regression models were conducted using the principle components to examine relations between the DFAQ-CU, cannabis-related problems, and CUD symptoms. Results found medium positive relations between Typicality of Use and Frequency, a small positive relation between Concentrates, and small negative relations between Age of Onset with CUD symptoms and problems. The study informs research and clinical work through the refinement of cannabis use assessment and enhancing our understanding of which aspects of cannabis use (e.g., Frequency) are most indicative of CUD and cannabis-related problems.