An Investigation of Electronic Vapor Products and Poor Mental Health in Students Grade 9-12
Abstract
Introduction and Objective. E-cigarettes, also known as electronic cigarettes, and vape devices have swiftly emerged as the predominant tobacco products among young people. From 2011 to 2015, data from the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) demonstrated a staggering 966% increase in current e-cigarette use among high school students (defined as use on ≥1 day during the past 30 days), rising from 1.5% to 16%. Studies have found that relaxation and coping were the most prominent reasons recorded as to why youth vape. The objective of this study was to investigate whether there is an association between electronic vapor product (EVP) use and poor mental health in U.S. students grades 9-12. Methods. An analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted using data of the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS). Students in grades 9-12 in the United States who completed the YBRSS were included (n=14,139). Poor mental health (including stress, anxiety, and depression) was the primary outcome, and using vape products during a one-month period was the exposure. The control variables were sex, race, alcohol use, sexual or gender identity, body weight, physical activity, tobacco use, drug use, forced sexual intercourse, and bullying. Both, unadjusted and adjusted for confounders odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (OR, 95%CI) were calculated using logistic regression. Results. Before adjustment, there was a statistically significant increase in the odds of poor mental health among EVP users (OR 2.17; 95% CI 1.92-2.46). However, this association disappeared after adjusting for potential confounders (OR 1.05; 95% CI 0.82-1.34). Factors associated with poor mental health in the multivariable model included experiencing bullying (OR 2.33; 95% CI 1.97-2.77) and being female (OR 2.33; 95% CI 2.00-2.71). Conclusions-Implications. We did not find an association between using vape products and poor mental health among students in grades 9-12 in the U.S. Further studies must be performed to investigate the statistically significant associations between bullied individuals and poor mental health and females and poor mental health.
Abstract Category
16. Mental Health
Secondary Abstract Category
26. Pediatrics
Keywords
mental health; vaping; youth
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
An Investigation of Electronic Vapor Products and Poor Mental Health in Students Grade 9-12
Introduction and Objective. E-cigarettes, also known as electronic cigarettes, and vape devices have swiftly emerged as the predominant tobacco products among young people. From 2011 to 2015, data from the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) demonstrated a staggering 966% increase in current e-cigarette use among high school students (defined as use on ≥1 day during the past 30 days), rising from 1.5% to 16%. Studies have found that relaxation and coping were the most prominent reasons recorded as to why youth vape. The objective of this study was to investigate whether there is an association between electronic vapor product (EVP) use and poor mental health in U.S. students grades 9-12. Methods. An analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted using data of the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS). Students in grades 9-12 in the United States who completed the YBRSS were included (n=14,139). Poor mental health (including stress, anxiety, and depression) was the primary outcome, and using vape products during a one-month period was the exposure. The control variables were sex, race, alcohol use, sexual or gender identity, body weight, physical activity, tobacco use, drug use, forced sexual intercourse, and bullying. Both, unadjusted and adjusted for confounders odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (OR, 95%CI) were calculated using logistic regression. Results. Before adjustment, there was a statistically significant increase in the odds of poor mental health among EVP users (OR 2.17; 95% CI 1.92-2.46). However, this association disappeared after adjusting for potential confounders (OR 1.05; 95% CI 0.82-1.34). Factors associated with poor mental health in the multivariable model included experiencing bullying (OR 2.33; 95% CI 1.97-2.77) and being female (OR 2.33; 95% CI 2.00-2.71). Conclusions-Implications. We did not find an association between using vape products and poor mental health among students in grades 9-12 in the U.S. Further studies must be performed to investigate the statistically significant associations between bullied individuals and poor mental health and females and poor mental health.