Monash University is recruiting participants for a new study examining cannabis and alcohol use among first-time parents during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.
The research will look at a range of questions, including how cannabis consumption fits into daily family routines and what potential benefits parents believe it offers them in their role as caregivers.
To be eligible, participants must use cannabis, have become a parent for the first time between 2019 and 2021, and have been drinking alcohol at least once a week before the pandemic.
Dr Tristan Duncan, a research fellow at Monash University's Eastern Health Clinical School, said the study — titled 'cannabis, alcohol and everyday family life' — aims to move past the "narrow focus… of risk and harm" that typically shapes this area of research. The project instead seeks to capture the "largely overlooked diverse voices and experiences of parents who use cannabis".
"Our research explores how the transition to parenthood shapes people's perceptions and practices of cannabis use and how this compares to alcohol," he said. "We're also interested in how cannabis fits within everyday family life including, for example, its potential positive effects for parents and parenting practices."
Participants must be aged over 18 and based in Australia. All interviews will be conducted on a confidential and anonymous basis.
First-time parents who wish to participate can fill out an online survey or get in touch with Dr Duncan at tr************@****sh.edu.
