Social Influences on Quitting E-Cigarette Use: A Mixed Method Analysis
Date of Graduation
5-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science in Public Health
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Department
Health, Human Performance and Recreation
Advisor/Mentor
Dobbs, Page
Committee Member/Reader
Davis, Robert
Abstract
Social Influences on Quitting E-Cigarette Use: A Mixed Method Analysis
Page Dobbs, Olivia Peterson, Erin Arthur, Jessica Seymore, Jenn Veilleux, Robert Davis, Mance Buttram, Mufazzela Tabassum
Words: 250/250
Introduction. Young adult e-cigarette users report peers as a reason for using these products; however, it is unclear how social influences are associated with attempting to quit e-cigarettes. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to examine the relationship between social factors and quitting e-cigarettes.
Methods. E-cigarette users from a large southern university were recruited to take part in an explanatory, sequential mixed-methods study. First, participants (n=423) completed a cross-sectional survey about participant demographics, attempts to quit using e-cigarettes, and social support (measured using the. A logistic regression examined relationships between covariates and attempting to quit e-cigarettes. Following completion of this survey, a subsample of participants (n=25) completed a virtual interview about social support when trying to quit using e-cigarettes. Qualitative data were transcribed and coded (using NVivo). Using a thematic analysis, emerging themes were used to help explained quantitative findings.
Results. Those who were 23+ years were 2.52 (95% CI: 1.15, 5.51) times as likely to have attempted to quit e-cigarettes as 18-20-year-olds. Females (aOR=2.86; 95% CI: 1.66, 4.94) and those with a high school diploma (aOR=7.41; 95% CI: 3.93, 13.98) had increased odds of attempted to quit e-cigarettes than their counterparts. Social support (aOR=1.55; 95% CI: 1.16, 2.08) was associated with attempting to quit e-cigarettes. Interview participants described e-cigarette using peers making it more difficult to quit. Parents and significant others were identified as supportive referents of quitting e-cigarettes.
Discussion. E-cigarette users are at an increased risk for screening for depression and for using substance, such as e-cigarettes.
Keywords
E-cigarettes; quitting; social-influences; smoking; tobacco; cessation
Citation
Peterson, O., & Dobbs, P. (2024). Social Influences on Quitting E-Cigarette Use: A Mixed Method Analysis. Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/hhpruht/114
