Positive Outcomes of Cannabis Use Scale (POCUS)

Positive Outcomes of Cannabis Use Scale (POCUS)

Introduction

The Positive Outcomes of Cannabis Use Scale (POCUS) is designed to assess the frequency, valence, and future influence of specific outcomes experienced following cannabis use. Participants are asked to reflect on their cannabis use over the past month when responding to each item. For each outcome, individuals are asked to rate:

1. Frequency: How often the outcome has actually occurred after using cannabis in the past month.

2. Valence: How positive or negative the outcome typically was.

3. Future Influence: How likely the outcome is to influence future cannabis use.

Instructions for Participants

Please think about the outcomes you have experienced when using cannabis in the past month. For each item, please rate how often the outcome has occurred, how positive or negative the outcome typically was, and how likely it is that the outcome will influence your future cannabis use.

Items

The following items are rated on the scales described below:

1. I felt less guarded and more willing to be open with others.

2. I had more energy to stay active.

3. It was easier to ignore things that were already bothering me.

4. A sexual experience felt more enjoyable than when I am sober.

5. I felt calmer than before getting high.

6. It was easier for me to make conversation when I usually would have talked less.

7. It was easier to begin tasks that usually are hard for me to start.

8. It was easier to distract myself from stressful thoughts.

9. I was more willing to have a sexual experience.

10. I had fewer worries than before I got high.

11. It was easier to focus on the task at hand.

12. A sexual experience felt more intense.

13. I solved a problem I had been struggling with.

14. I felt more comfortable in social situations than when I am sober.

15. It was easier for me to have a positive outlook.

16. Masturbation felt more enjoyable.

17. Tasks I usually find boring I felt excited to do.

18. I talked to someone new in a situation where I usually would have kept to myself.

19. I felt more content than I normally do.

Response Scales

• Frequency:

  • 1 = Never

  • 2 = Rarely

  • 3 = Sometimes

  • 4 = Often

  • 5 = Always/Almost Always

• Valence:

  • 1 = Very Negative

  • 2 = Negative

  • 3 = Neutral

  • 4 = Positive

  • 5 = Very Positive

• Future Influence:

  • 1 = Not at All Influential

  • 2 = Slightly Influential

  • 3 = Moderately Influential

  • 4 = Highly Influential

  • 5= Extremely Influential

Note: The frequency response scale is the primary scale. The other scales are optional. Scale instructions should be adjusted to fit the administered scales.

Scoring

• Total Score: A total score is calculated by taking the mean of all item responses.

• Subscale Scores: Subscale scores are calculated by taking the mean of the items within each subscale:

  • Social Enhancement: Items 1, 6, 14, 18

  • Mood Enhancement: Items 3, 5, 8, 10, 15, 19

  • Cognitive Enhancement: Items 2, 7, 11, 13, 17

  • Sexual Enhancement: 4, 9, 12, 16