Abstract
Introduction
While the relationship between smoking and depression has been well-established, little is known about the association between e-cigarette use and depression, particularly among youth and young adults. This study proposes that e-cigarette dependence, rather than simply use, serves as a potential stressor and may interact with pre-existing vulnerabilities to contribute to depression in youth consistent with the diathesis-stress theory. This study examines the longitudinal association of vaping dependence and vaping frequency on depression symptoms among youth and young adults who have never smoked cigarettes.
Methods
People who used e-cigarettes in the past month who reported never smoking a cigarette (N=1226) between 16 and 25 years old were followed longitudinally every three months for up to one year beginning in 2020. The Penn State E-cigarette Dependence Inventory (PS-ECDI) at time t was used to predict depression symptoms assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) at time t+1.
Results
Thirty-two point one percent reported vaping in the past month with PS-ECDI score (M=8.5)and a CES-D score (M=15.8). Higher vaping dependence scores were significantly associated with increased depression symptoms scores at follow up among youth and adults (Beta=0.08 95% CI=0.01 0.15), controlling for baseline depression symptom scores and covariates. While vaping dependence was highly associated with vaping frequency level, no significant association between the frequency of vaping and depression was found (Beta=-0.33 95% CI:-1.21 0.54).
Conclusions
These results are consistent with the diathesis-stress model of the relationship between substance use and depression. Vaping dependence but not vaping frequency was associated with increased depressive symptoms among people who never smoked cigarettes.
