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- Title
Association between Polytobacco Use, Substance Use, and Depression among College Students.
- Authors
Ickes, Melinda J.; Brown, Joanne; Wiggins, Amanda; Berger, Meghan; Bursac, Vilma
- Abstract
Background. Tobacco use continues to be of concern in the college population, particularly emerging tobacco products. Polytobacco is defined as the use of more than one tobacco product such as cigarettes, e-cigarettes, hookah, or smokeless tobacco. This study examined the association between polytobacco use, substance use, and depression among college students. It was hypothesized that polytobacco users would report higher rates of substance use along with lower mental health outcomes in comparison to non-tobacco or cigarette-only users. Methods. A random sample of students in a southern university completed an online cross-sectional survey in Fall of 2015 which inquired about their current tobacco and substance use, depression, and other mental health outcomes. Secondary data were analyzed from over 2500 students. Results. Current alcohol users were more likely to currently use cigarettes (p<.001), hookah (p<.001), e-cigarettes (p<.001) and be polytobacco users (p<.001) compared to non-alcohol users. Additionally, users of cigarettes, hookah and e-cigarettes were significantly more likely to report binge drinking compared to non-current users (p<.001 for all). A higher proportion of polytobacco users (52%) were current marijuana users, compared to cigarette only users (41%); p=.045. Current polytobacco users were more likely to use drugs (p<.001). A significant difference in mental health by group was found (p<.001): non users have better mental health as compared to cigarette only and polytobacco users. Cigarette only users were more likely to have a diagnosis of depression compared to polytobacco users. Conclusions. Polytobacco use may enhance the risk of substance abuse. Among college students, those with depression were more likely to use tobacco products than those without depression. Health promotion programs should target tobacco prevention, which may complement efforts to prevent substance use. Health professionals working to manage depression should also be aware of the risk of tobacco use and incorporate into programming and counseling efforts.
- Subjects
SUBSTANCE abuse; MENTAL depression; MENTAL health of college students
- Publication
Kentucky SHAPE JOURNAL, 2018, Vol 55, Issue 2, p39
- ISSN
1071-2577
- Publication type
Article