Depressed Adolescents Twice as Likely to Take Up Vaping
By Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, Sept. 3, 2024 -- A survey of Australian adolescents finds those who are experiencing depressive symptoms have double the risk of taking up vaping.
“In the short term, nicotine may reduce feelings of anxiety and stress, and young people may be reaching for vapes as a coping mechanism," said study co-author Emily Stockings.
“Regardless of whether mental ill health influences smoking or vice-versa, it is clear that if we are to prevent vaping onset, we need to address mental health at the same time," said Stockings, who is an associate professor of medicine at the University of Sydney's Matilda Center.
Her team published its findings Sept. 2 in the Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry.
The study tracked the mental health and vaping rates of more than 5,000 Year 7 and 8 students (about 12-13 years of age) from 40 schools in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia.
About 8.3% said they'd used e-cigarettes.
Compared to kids with low stress levels, those who said they had moderate levels of stress were 74% more likely to have taken up vaping, and those who said they had high stress levels were 64% more likely to vape, the study found.
Vaping was 105% more likely among adolescents who rated their well-being as low versus though who said it was high.
There was no link between anxiety levels and adolescent vaping, the authors noted.
“More research is needed to understand the complex relationship between mental health and vaping, however these findings highlight the urgent need for prevention and early intervention approaches, backed by evidence, to support both the short- and long-term health and well-being of young people," Dr. Lauren Gardner said in a University of Sydney news release. She co-leads the OurFutures Vaping Trial, which supplied the data used in the new study.
According to the news release, the findings out of Australia mirror those of studies conducted in other countries, including the United States.
Researchers at the Matilda Center previously found that the average adolescent vaper takes up the habit at about the age of 14.
Sources
- University of Sydney, news release, Sept. 2, 2024
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
![](/img/logo/vendor/healthday-logo.png)
© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted September 2024
Read this next
Brain's Wiring May Trigger Depression in Some People
FRIDAY, Sept. 6, 2024 -- A distinct brain pattern appears to make some people more likely to develop depression, a new study indicates. “Deep” functional MRI brain...
Marijuana Use Raises Workers' Absenteeism Rate: Study
THURSDAY, Sept. 5, 2024 -- The stereotype of the slacker stoner might not be too far off the mark, a new study shows. People who use weed are prone to workplace absenteeism --...
The 3 Best Ways to Stop Smoking, Rated by Science
THURSDAY, Sept. 5, 2024 -- Thinking about quitting smoking? There are three top ways to help you stop, a new review finds. According to the study, folks wanting to quit should...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.