Perceived stress and E-cigarette use during emerging adulthood: a longitudinal examination of initiation, progression, and continuation.

Introduction:
This text is a longitudinal study examining the relationship between perceived stress and e-cigarette use among a diverse cohort of emerging adults. The study uses data from the Texas adolescent Tobacco and Marketing Surveillance system collected in Fall 2019 (baseline) and Spring 2020 (6-month follow-up). Participants were classified into three subsamples at baseline: never users, ever but not current (past 30-day) users, and current (past 30-day) users.

Key Points:

* The study used multivariate logistic regression models to examine the relationship between perceived stress scale (PSS) score and e-cigarette use behaviors among emerging adults.
* PSS scores were standardized using z-scores.
* Models controlled for race/ethnicity, sex, age, ever marijuana use, and ever use of other tobacco products.
* Mean age ranged from 18.6 to 19.4 among cohorts.
* The study found that PSS predicted greater risk of e-cigarette progression and continuation but not initiation among a diverse cohort of emerging adults.
* The study suggests that e-cigarette prevention and cessation strategies should consider perceived stress an important risk factor for e-cigarette use during emerging adulthood.
* The study also highlights the need for further research on the relationship between perceived stress, depression, and e-cigarette use during adolescence and young adulthood.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of perceived stress as a risk factor for e-cigarette use during emerging adulthood. The findings suggest that e-cigarette prevention and cessation strategies should consider perceived stress as an important factor in their design. The study also highlights the need for further research on the relationship between perceived stress, depression, and e-cigarette use during adolescence and young adulthood, as nicotine use can be a coping mechanism for stress and depression. Overall, the study emphasizes the need to address the complex relationship between stressors, vulnerability, and e-cigarette use during emerging adulthood.

Mantey DS, Clendennen SI, Sumbe a, Wilkinson aV, harrell MB. Perceived stress and E-cigarette use during emerging adulthood: a longitudinal examination of initiation, progression, and continuation. Preventive medicine. 2022;160:107080. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2022.107080