Predictors of Vaping Behavior Change in Young Adults Using the Transtheoretical Model: A Multi-Country Study

Abstract

Electronic nicotine products remain popular among college students. These products contain heavy metals, carcinogens and the addictive substance nicotine. By understanding where students are in their behavior change can help to determine and focus messages and campaigns. The aim of this study was to assess predictors of the Transtheoretical model in college-aged vaping. This study consisted of an online/Ipad delivery of a voluntary survey to 1249 young adults/college students at 5 universities (International and within the U.S.). Data was analyzed using Stata. Regression analysis was performed to assess predictors of the stages in the Transtheoretical Model of behavior change. Our study found that women tended to be further along in the stages of change as compared to their male counterparts. Additionally, the older students were more likely to be in maintenance stage as compared to the younger students. The students who vaped longer tended to not have advance into any of the stages of change besides precontemplation. Understanding where students are in the stages of change can help to inform behavioral message campaigns enabling more focused targeting of messages and efforts to reduce consumption. Electronic nicotine products are highly prevalent on college campuses, both nationally and internationally. The nicotine is addictive and may result in less of a desire or ability to quit as young adults age.

Keywords: Vaping; behavior change; electronic nicotine devices; transtheoretical model; young adults.