Stress coping strategies among college students: Associations with e-cigarettes and physical activity.

Transcription

1 Stress coping strategies among college students: Associations with e-cigarettes and physical activity. Sarah Beth Lynch, MPH University of Colorado-Denver Melissa Napolitano, PhD George Washington University, Milken Institute School of Public Health Cassandra Stanton, PhD Georgetown University; Westat

2 Background The use of e-cigarettes has increased exponentially among young adults. In 2014, 21.6% of US adults between the ages of years reported ever trying an e-cigarette. 1 Estimates of ever use of trying e-cig among college students range from 4.9% 2-29%. 3 2

3 Public Health Significance American Heart Association 4 and American Lung Association 5 issued position statements asserting e-cigs may prime young adults for nicotine addiction. Health consequences of e-cigarette smoking is underresearched. 4 3

4 What are e-cigarettes? 4

5 E-cigarettes and perceived stress Cigarette users report greater perceived stress than non-cigarette users. 6,7 The perceived novelty and accessibility of e-cigs 8 may make e-cigs a convenient way for college students to manage stress. Transition from high school to college may be stressful. 9 Students may adapt to stress using readily available coping strategies, including engaging in unhealthy lifestyle choices (e.g. tobacco and/or nicotine use, sedentary behavior). 5

6 Research Question Do ever e-cigarette smokers and never e-cigarette smokers report different levels of: Perceived Stress (PSS) Physical Activity IPAQ and 1 question about using physical activity to manage stress Sedentary Activities to manage stress 1 item from APA Stress in America Survey 6

7 Methods College students (N=230) completed an anonymous online survey. Recruited through social media and classroom announcements. Separated into two groups based on yes/no response to following question: Have you ever tried an e-cigarette, even one or two puffs? 7

8 Sample Ever tried e-cigs Never tried e-cigs 37% (n=84) 63% (n=146) BMI AGE 20.9 years 21.1 years % FEMALE 58.3% (n=49)* 74.0% (n=108)* TRIED CIGARETTES 43.9% (n=54) 56.1% (n=69) *X 2 (1,230)=7.03; p <.05 8

9 Results: Perceived Stress PSS Score Ever tried e-cigarettes Never tried e-cigarettes Ever e-cigarette users reported significantly lower levels of perceived stress than never e-cigarette users user [F(1,228) =3.7; p<.05) 9

10 Results: Sedentary Stress Coping Do you watch TV/Netflix/surf the internet to relieve or manage stress? Never tried e- cigarettes Yes 67% No 33% Ever tried e- cigarettes Yes 81% No 19% Ever e-cigarette users were more likely than never e- cigarette users to utilize sedentary behaviors as a way to manage stress [X 2 (1,230)=5.08; p <.05)]. 10

11 Results: Physical Activity to Manage Stress Never tried e-cigarettes Ever tried e-cigarettes Do you exercise, walk or play sports to relieve or manage stress? Yes 59% No 41% Yes 67% No 33% No significant difference between groups with regards to utilizing physical activity as a way to manage stress [X 2 (1,230)=1.36; p >.05)]. 11

12 minutes Results: Minutes of Moderate Physical Activity/Week No significant difference in minutes of physical activity per week between e-cig users and non-users [F(1,228)=0.3, p >.05] Minutes of Moderate PA/Week 0 Never tried e-cigarettes Ever tried e-cigarettes 12

13 Summary College students who have ever tried an e-cigarette were more likely than college students who never tried an e- cigarette to report coping with stress with sedentary activities. The sample size in this pilot study was relatively small; future studies are needed to examine whether the frequency of use (ever tried versus regular use) shows different associations with stress management 13

14 Limitations Sample size Classification of ever used e-cigarettes and never used e-cigarettes Individuals who smoking e-cigarettes every day may present different scores on the outcome measures compared with someone experimenting or using socially 14

15 Comments Ever e-cigarette users may adapt to stress with distraction or quick fix coping strategy more than never e-cigarette users. Methods of managing stress result in a variety of behaviors that, over time, may influence health outcomes. Understanding differences in adaptive health behaviors among college students may assist in the development of primary prevention programs for young adults. 15

16 References 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015). Data Briefs on e-cigarettes. Available at 2. Stufin et al. (2013). Electronic cigarette use by college students. Drug and alcohol dependence, 131(3), Littlefield et al. (2016). Electronic Cigarette Use Among College Students: Links to Gender, Race/Ethnicity, Smoking, and Heavy Drinking. Journal of American College Health. 4. Bhatnagar et al. (2014). Electronic cigarettes a policy statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 130(16), American Lung Association. (2015). E-Cigarettes and Lung Health. Available at 6. Magid, V., Colder, C. R., Stroud, L. R., Nichter, M., Nichter, M., & Members, T. E. R. N. (2009). Negative affect, stress, and smoking in college students: Unique associations independent of alcohol and marijuana use. Addictive behaviors, 34(11), Black, D. S., Sussman, S., Johnson, C. A., & Milam, J. (2012). Testing the indirect effect of trait mindfulness on adolescent cigarette smoking through negative affect and perceived stress mediators. Journal of substance use,17(5-6), Dutra, L. M., & Glantz, S. A. (2014). Electronic cigarettes and conventional cigarette use among US adolescents: a cross-sectional study. JAMA pediatrics, 168(7), Arnett JJ. Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American Psychologist. 2000;55(5):

17 Dr. Krista Ranby Participants Thank you!