Faculty, Staff and Student Publications
Language
English
Publication Date
8-1-2024
Journal
Addictive Behaviors
DOI
10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.108039
PMID
38626630
PMCID
PMC11088494
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
8-1-2025
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Author MSS
Abstract
Objective: Previous studies have established an understanding of reasons for e-cigarette use and associated e-cigarette use patterns such as use frequency, yet the critical extension to associated e-cigarette dependence outcome remains under-researched. This study used longitudinal data to examine whether the reasons for e-cigarette use predict a higher/lower level of e-cigarette dependence.
Methods: This study recruited college students who were current e-cigarette users from Fall 2019 to Fall 2020 (four semesters) at three public universities in the Midwest and South of the U.S. Those who participated for at least two semesters were included (N = 366). Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. E-cigarette use dependence was assessed using the Penn State Electronic Cigarette Dependence Index. A linear mixed model with a random intercept and a random slope was conducted to examine the longitudinal association between reasons for e-cigarette use and dependence, controlling for demographics and other covariates.
Results: Participants who used e-cigarettes for relaxation (β = 0.63, p < 0.05) and due to their good taste (β = 0.63, p < 0.05) had a higher level of e-cigarette dependence. Participants using e-cigarettes for experimental purposes had a lower level of e-cigarette dependence (β = -1.21, p < 0.01).
Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of addressing e-cigarette use reasons and their relationship to e-cigarette dependence. Prevention and intervention efforts aimed at developing more effective strategies should consider the various e-cigarette use reasons associated with dependence risks, such as enhancing awareness of the use dependence risk related to good taste of e-cigarettes and use for relaxation, as well as incorporating early screenings for use.
Keywords
Humans, Male, Vaping, Female, Students, Longitudinal Studies, Young Adult, Universities, Adult, Adolescent, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, Motivation, Surveys and Questionnaires, E-cigarette, Vaping reasons, Dependence, College student
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
Ou, Tzung-Shiang; Buu, Anne; Yang, James J; et al., "E-Cigarette Use Reasons and Associated E-Cigarette Use Dependence Among College Students: A Longitudinal Examination" (2024). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 1067.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthsph_docs/1067