Study Finds Connection Between Vaping and Teen Mental Health Problems

A study conducted by Australia's Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use surveyed 5,000 students between the ages of 12 and 14

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A recent study has identified a connection between vaping and teenage mental health issues.

Research conducted by Australia's Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use revealed that 20% of participating students exhibited symptoms of moderate to severe depression. This finding suggests a need for interventions addressing mental health and e-cigarette use, according to The Guardian.

The 2023 study involved over 5,000 students aged 12 to 14 from New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia. Participants responded to questions about their mental health, drug use, vaping habits, and overall well-being.

Published on Monday, Sept. 2, in the Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, the study found that students experiencing higher levels of stress were more likely to use or have tried vapes. Approximately 8.3% of the participants reported using e-cigarettes.

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Students experiencing moderate stress were 74% more likely to take up vaping, while those with severe stress were 64% more likely to start using e-cigarettes.

While the study indicates a correlation between vaping and mental health issues among teenagers, it does not establish a causal relationship between the two.

Emily Stockings, an associate professor at the University of Sydney and a co-author of the study, emphasized the need for combined efforts to address both mental health and vaping prevention. "If we want to improve mental health and prevent vaping, we need to address these issues simultaneously," she said. Stockings also noted that although nicotine might provide temporary relief, its long-term effects must be considered. "Whether mental health issues lead to vaping or vaping exacerbates mental health problems, it’s clear that preventing vaping requires concurrent mental health support," she added, according to UPI.

Michelle Jongenelis, an associate professor at the University of Melbourne, highlighted the importance of focusing on mental health interventions during this critical developmental period for teenagers.

Further research is needed to establish a stronger link between vaping and mental health, but this study provides a crucial starting point for understanding the issue. According to the CDC, most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can adversely affect brain development in users under 25.

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