Cannabis use and the risk behavior syndrome in italian university students: Are they related to suicide risk?

The aim of this study was to examine the association of cannabis use with risky behaviours and suicide risk in university students. A convenience sample of 246 students was recruited from four universities in Rom during the 2004 academic year. Participants completd the Zung scales for anxiety and depression, th Suicide Scor Scale, and an ad hoc questionnaire assessing risky behaviors. The findings indicatd a widespread use of cannabis among students and its association with risky behavior, anxiety, depression, and suicide risk. A regression tree analysis resulted in 3 splits indicating that the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale is good predictor of suicide risk, discriminating individuals at lower risk from those at higher risk. Individuals at higher risk for suicide could also be discriminated by self-report lifetime drug use.