In 2016 the Surgeon General declared e-cigarette use among United States young a major public health concern. The National Youth Tobacco Survey indicated 17.7-40% of college students have tried or are currently using e-cigarettes. The current study looks at the relationship between knowledge of negative health effects, self-efficacy, depression and anxiety symptoms, and academic performance and e-cigarette use behavior among students.
The final study included 811 students with 62% being female and 52% being in their senior year. The study design was retrospective and included college students between the ages of 18-25 years. Researchers asked participants how often they vape with possible responses being “every day,” “somedays,” “rarely,” or “not at all.” They also asked participants about their knowledge and perception of e-cigarettes by asking 8 questions including “vaping is a public health concern.” Self-efficacy was measured by using the General Self-Efficacy Scale. Anxiety and depression were assed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale and the Patient Health Questionnaire.
Findings showed 24.8% reported e-cigarette use with 7% reporting everyday e-cigarette use. Results showed females score for knowledge was significantly higher than males and females also reported higher anxiety symptoms. Never e-cigarette users’ mean scores for knowledge was significantly higher than other users. It was also found mean score for self-efficacy on e-cigarette was significantly higher for never users. Depression scores were lowest for never users and average GPA was lower for everyday users than never users. These findings show modifiable factors such as knowledge about harmful effects and self-confidence may be associated with lower e-cigarette. Based on this, intervention could be designed to target these factors to help educate students and lower their use.
Take Away: The current study looks at the relationship between knowledge of negative health effects, self-efficacy, depression and anxiety symptoms, and academic performance and e-cigarette use behavior among students. The final study included 811 students and was retrospective in nature. Measures included frequency of e-cigarette use, knowledge and perception of e-cigarettes, self-efficacy, and anxiety and depression. Findings showed that 24.8% reported e-cigarette use with 7% reporting everyday e-cigarette use. . Never e-cigarette users’ mean scores for knowledge was significantly higher than other users. Depression scores were lowest for never users and average GPA was lower for everyday users than never users. These findings show modifiable factors such as knowledge about harmful effects and self-confidence may be associated with lower e-cigarette. Interventions could target these factors to help educate students and lower their use.