Association between depression, the risk of suicide, and e-cigarette (vaping) addiction among adolescents
Keywords:
Depression, The risk of suicide, E-cigarette (vaping) addiction, AdolescentsAbstract
The incidence of depression and completed suicide among Thai adolescents continues to grow exponentially which becomes the threat of the nation's youth mental health and may lead to e-cigarette (vaping) initiation and addiction subsequently. This descriptive correlational research aimed to study the association between depression, the risk of suicide, and e-cigarette (vaping) addiction among adolescents. The sample group consisted of 360 adolescents (aged 18-21) who were studying for a high vocational certificate (Diploma) in a province of northern Thailand. The research instruments comprised a demographic questionnaire, a depression assessment (PHQ-9), the Department of Mental Health’s suicidality assessment (8Q), and an e-cigarette (vaping) addiction questionnaire. The reliability of these measures was confirmed with Cronbach's alpha coefficients of .84, .80, and .82, respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation coefficient. The results revealed that the sample group had relatively mild levels of depression ( =7.01, SD=4.75), the risk of suicide risk ( =2.63, SD=7.99), and e-cigarette addiction ( =1.86, SD=2.96) with prevalence rates of 53.06%, 21.94%, and 32.50%, respectively. Additionally, both depression (rs=.210) and the risk of suicide (rs=.317) were statistically significant (p<.01) associated with e-cigarette (vaping) addiction. These findings can be utilized in developing psychosocial intervention models regarding to mitigate depressive symptoms, minimize the risk of suicide, and prevent high-risk behaviors associated with e-cigarette use among adolescents.
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