College students' reasons for using different e-cigarette products: A mixed methods analysis

Prevalence and Differences of Depression, Anxiety, and Substance Use Between Chinese College-Age Students Studying in China and America During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

Introduction

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) swept the globe and harmfully influenced the mental health and behaviors of the college student population. This study aims to examine the prevalence and difference of mental health and the substance use problems of the Chinese college-age students studying in China and America (CSA) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

One thousand five hundred four students participated in this study. A total of 42.12% of students are enrolled in Chinese colleges, and 57.78% of students are enrolled in American colleges, aged 17-23 years (x ¯ ± s = 19.90 ± 1.50). Binary logistic regression and independent t-test were used in this study to find the predictor variables and association among mental health, substance use problems, and student population.

Results

The two student groups had a statistical difference in General Anxiety Disorder-7 scale, alcohol, medicines, drinks, drugs and cigarettes (p < 0.01). The students suffering depression problems from the two groups have statistical significance with drinks (odds ratio = 0.89, 95% confidence interval = 0.81-0.97, p < 0.05; odds ratio = 1.11, 95% confidence interval = 1.04-1.19, p < 0.01). CSA experiencing anxiety problem had a significant association with alcohol, drinks, cigarette, and desserts (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

This is the first cross-sectional study focusing on the comparison of the Chinese college-age students' mental health and substance use problems who are studying in China and America during the pandemic. Our study revealed severe mental health and substance use problems in both student groups, particularly in the CSA during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings of our study also highlight the evidence to find more interventions and preventions to solve the different mental health and substance use problems for college students.

Methods and Statistical Analyses in Studies of Motivation for E-Cigarette Use Among University Students: An Integrative Review

Understanding the motivations for e-cigarette use among college and university students is essential for developing and implementing effective interventions. Evaluating existing literature is necessary to identify methodological gaps and limitations and improve the quality of future research. We aimed to evaluate the quality of the methods and statistical analyses and integrate evidence addressing motivations for e-cigarette use among college and university students. An integrative literature review was conducted by two researchers to identify and evaluate peer-reviewed, quantitative, and mixed methods research exploring motivations for e-cigarette use among college and university students. A systematic analytic method of data reduction was used to identify alignment and divergence of the data, gaps in the literature, and methodological limitations. Fifteen quantitative studies and three mixed methods studies published between 2015-2020 were included. Most studies were cross-sectional, used convenience sampling, and lacked psychometric and assumptions testing. Half performed regression analyses, however, very few adhered to research and statistical reporting standards. Current literature provides a foundation for developing and implementing interventions aimed to prevent e-cigarette use and encourage cessation. Future research should incorporate stronger sampling methods and research designs, as well as the use of rigorous statistical analyses in conjunction with thorough reporting. Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2021.1990332.

"Taking Up a New Problem": Context and Determinants of Pod-Mod Electronic Cigarette Use Among College Students

In this article, we explore the context and determinants of pod-mod electronic cigarette (ECIG) use among college students aged 18 to 24 in the United States. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 55 students (M age = 20 years, 56% female, 65% White) on three campuses in the Northwest, Midwest, and Southeast. We performed a thematic analysis. Students described ECIG use by peers, increased ECIG exposure and prevalence in college, and school-related stress as reasons for vaping. Pod-mod features such as convenience, design, easy concealment, and flavors made vaping more appealing. Negative aspects of vaping included addiction, cost, and possible health consequences. Most viewed vaping as a college behavior and intended to quit after graduation. Our results show that the college environment plays a major role in young adult ECIG use. These findings can inform the development of targeted interventions to prevent and control uptake of ECIGs by young adults.

Young Canadian e-Cigarette Users and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Examining Vaping Behaviors by Pandemic Onset and Gender

The aim of this study was to test how youth and young adult e-cigarette users responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 Youth and Young Adult Vaping Survey (N = 1,308) included 540 (44.7%) participants that reported differences in their vaping behaviors since the onset of the pandemic. Gender was the only relevant covariate that yielded a significant effect and/or interaction through a multivariate test. A two-way multivariate analysis of variance was used to test the effect of pandemic onset (pre- vs. during-pandemic), gender (males vs. females), and their interaction on vaping behaviors (days of vaping per week, episodes of vaping per day, and puffs per vaping episode). Respondents reported fewer days of vaping per week, episodes of vaping per day, and puffs per vaping episode during-pandemic than pre-pandemic [F_(3,533) = 52.81, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.229]. The multivariate effect of gender on the three vaping outcomes was not statistically significant [F_{(3, 533)} = 2.14, p = 0.095, ηp2 = 0.012], though the interaction between pandemic onset and gender was [F_{(3, 533)} = 2.86, p = 0.036, ηp2 = 0.016]. Males reported fewer episodes of vaping per day [t₍₂₆₂₎ = 7.40, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 5.19–8.97] and puffs per vaping episode [t₍₂₆₃₎ = 3.23, p = 0.001, 95% CI:0.292–1.20] during-pandemic than pre-pandemic. Females reported fewer vaping episodes per day during-pandemic than pre-pandemic [t₍₂₇₃₎ = 5.14, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 2.76–6.18]. Further, females reported more frequent puffs per vaping episode in comparison to males during-pandemic [t₍₅₃₈₎ = −2.38, p = 0.017, 95% CI: −2.09–0.200]. The COVID-19 pandemic presents an opportunity to reduce vaping through health promotion messaging. Since females take more puffs per vaping episode overall, they may benefit the most from greater vaping cessation supports.