Summary
Introduction:
This article examines the relationship between depressive symptoms and smoking/vaping in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adolescents from 2017 to 2019. The study assesses whether adolescents with depressive symptoms are more likely to vape nicotine, and whether this association differs when examining vaping among students who also smoke cigarettes, those who did not smoke cigarettes, and those who smoked cigarettes but did not vape. The study also compares the association of depression with vaping nicotine to those with binge drinking alcohol and using cannabis.
Key Points:
* The study used data from the Monitoring the Future Survey (MTF), a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey of U.S. eighth, 10th, and 12th grade students.
* The study found that depressive symptoms were positively associated with comorbid vaping and cigarette use across all grades, vaping without cigarette use among eighth graders, and cigarette use alone among eighth and 10th graders.
* The study found that eighth grade adolescents with depressive symptoms had increased odds of vaping nicotine with and without cigarette use.
* The study found that vaping is more common among younger adolescents (~aged 12 e14 years) with depressive symptoms than those without.
* The study found that adolescents who vape and smoke should be screened for depressive symptoms, with a particular emphasis on younger adolescents who may be at the highest risk of comorbid nico-tine use and depression.
* The study controlled for other substance use, including marijuana and alcohol use, and found that the association between depressive symptoms and vaping/smoking remained significant.
* The study found that the association between depressive symptoms and vaping nicotine was similar to that with binge alcohol use among 10th and 12th graders, but higher among eighth graders.
Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of screening adolescents who vape or smoke for depressive symptoms, particularly younger adolescents who may be at the highest risk of comorbid nicotine use and depression. The study also emphasizes the need for clinicians to assess adolescent vaping behaviors and potential mental health correlates, as vaping may be a marker for a broader constellation of adolescent health concerns, including mental health.
Citation
Gorfinkel L, Hasin D, Miech R, Keyes KM. The Link Between Depressive Symptoms and Vaping Nicotine in U.S. Adolescents, 2017-2019. The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine. 2022;70(1):133-139. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.07.003
