Summary
Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of a longitudinal study examining the relationship between adolescent depression symptoms and e-cigarette use over three years. The study aimed to identify the effects of depression symptoms on e-cigarette progression and the potential impact of e-cigarette use on depression symptoms. The key points and main message of the study are summarized below.
Key Points:
- The study involved 1822 adolescents from four public high schools outside of Philadelphia, Pa.
- The participants completed in-classroom surveys at wave 1 (fall 2016, 9th grade) and 6-month intervals for the following 36 months (fall 2019, 12th grade).
- The study used a latent growth curve model to assess the longitudinal relationship between e-cigarette use and depression symptoms.
- Baseline depressive symptoms had a significant effect on e-cigarette use trend, while holding other variables constant.
- a standard deviation increase in depressive symptoms at baseline was associated with a 0.25 standard deviation increase in the rate of e-cigarette progression across the following 36 months.
- The path from baseline e-cigarette use to depressive symptoms trend was not significant.
- Several covariates, such as peer e-cigarette use, past six-month alcohol use, past six-month marijuana use, positive expectations of e-cigarette use, and combustible cigarette smoking, were related to e-cigarette use and depressive symptoms.
Main Message:
The study highlights the significant impact of depression symptoms on e-cigarette progression among adolescents. Given the potential consequences of rapid e-cigarette progression, such as sustained e-cigarette use and greater nicotine dependence, the findings suggest that screening for depression symptoms may aid in identifying adolescents at risk for e-cigarette uptake. Further research is needed to inform public health campaigns and e-cigarette regulatory actions, particularly in tailoring prevention campaigns to target adolescents with elevated depression symptoms.
Citation
Moustafa aF, Testa S, Rodriguez D, Pianin S, audrain-McGovern J. adolescent depression symptoms and e-cigarette progression. Drug and alcohol dependence. 2021;228:109072. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109072
