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. 2023 May-Jun;35(3):245-251.
doi: 10.1080/08995605.2022.2114278. Epub 2022 Aug 25.

Associations between depression, stress, and e-cigarette use among OEF/OIF veterans

Denise D Tran  1 , Jordan P Davis  2   3 , Colin Ring  2 , Jennifer Wang  4 , Reagan E Fitzke  1 , Adam M Leventhal  3   5 , Eric R Pedersen  1   3
Affiliations

Associations between depression, stress, and e-cigarette use among OEF/OIF veterans

Denise D Tran et al. Mil Psychol. 2023 May-Jun.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound mental and behavioral health implications for the general U.S. population. However, little is known regarding outcomes for U.S. veterans, who represent a population with high rates of depression, stress, and e-cigarette use. One month prior to the pandemic-related closures (February 2020), 1230 OEF/OIF veterans (ages 18-40) completed an online baseline survey. Six months later, participants completed a follow-up survey (83% retention rate). Hierarchical negative binomial regressions were used to examine the relationship between baseline depression and past 30-day e-cigarette use at follow-up and whether baseline stress moderated this relationship. Veterans who screened positive for depression or who endorsed higher stress levels reported greater e-cigarette use at follow-up. Stress also moderated the relationship between depression and e-cigarette use, such that regardless of stress levels, a positive depression screen was associated with greater rates of later e-cigarette use. However, for those with a negative depression screen, higher stress levels were associated with greater e-cigarette use relative to lower stress levels. Veterans with pre-pandemic depression and stress may be at highest risk for e-cigarette use. Ongoing assessment and treatment for depression and promoting stress management skills for veterans in e-cigarette use prevention and intervention programs may be valuable.

Keywords: COVID-19; E-cigarettes; depression; stress; veterans.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Interaction between depression and stress predicting past 30-day e-cigarette use.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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