Novak, Marissa L. (2023) The Association Between E-Cigarettes and Cognition in Adolescents. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
A global concern is growing due to the ubiquitous increase in sales, use, and health issues associated with electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), particularly related to the critical stage of adolescent neurocognitive maturation. This study aimed to identify the impact of e-cigarette perceptions on adolescent e-cigarette use, and investigate relationships between e-cigarette use, cognition, and mood, using an online survey. The responses of 432 adolescents aged 1118 years were analysed. Among them, 88 adolescents had used e-cigarettes. In addition to sociodemographic data pertaining to adolescent e-cigarette attitudes and behaviours, the online survey examined outcome measures of mind-wandering; academic, social, and emotional self-efficacy; and mood. Results indicated that e-cigarette users held stronger beliefs in both peer and parental approval of e-cigarette use, more often lived with family members with substance use history, and held more favourable attitudes towards e-cigarettes. Typically, being attracted to appealing flavours of e-cigarettes was associated with an increased frequency of e-cigarette use. Furthermore, e-cigarette users reported poorer academic self-efficacy; greater mind-wandering tendencies; and greater severity of depression, anxiety, and stress. Increased frequency of e-cigarette use was also associated with increased risk of poorer mood and cognitive outcomes. While previous research often claims no or positive effects of e-cigarettes in adults, particularly when associated with nicotine, our findings suggest e-cigarettes have a negative association with cognition in adolescents. Future research should investigate the mechanisms underlying these observed cognitive effects and their long-term impacts, with implications informing early intervention and policy development.
|
Statistics for this ePrint Item |
| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current – Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Wellbeing (1 Jan 2022 -) |
| Supervisors: | Grace Wang |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 06 Aug 2025 01:35 |
| Last Modified: | 06 Aug 2025 01:35 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | e-cigarettes, adolescents, cognition, attitudes, mood |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52622 |
Actions (login required)
 |
Archive Repository Staff Only |
