Depressive Symptoms and Suicidality in Adolescents Using e-Cigarettes and Marijuana: A Secondary Data Analysis From the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Issue 5 (September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chadi, Nicholas; Li, Guilin; Cerda, Natalie; Weitzman, Elissa R.
• Is Part Of: Journal of addiction medicine. Volume 13:Issue 5(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-09
• Subjects: adolescent -- depression -- e-cigarettes -- marijuana -- suicide; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Substance abuse -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Substance-Related Disorders -- Periodicals; 616.86005
• DOI: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000000506
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1932-0620

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: E-cigarette use has increased dramatically among adolescents in the past 5 years alongside a steady increase in daily use of marijuana. This period coincides with a historic rise in depression and suicidal ideation among adolescents. In this study, we describe the associations between e-cigarette and marijuana use and depressive symptoms and suicidality in a large nationally representative sample of high school students. Methods: We used data from the 2 most recent waves (2015 and 2017) of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Our sample (n = 26, 821) included only participants with complete information for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and exposure to e-cigarettes and marijuana (89.5% of survey respondents). We performed multivariate logistic regressions to explore the associations between single or dual use of e-cigarette and marijuana and depressive and suicidal symptoms in the past year adjusting for relevant confounders. Results: E-cigarette-only use was reported in 9.1% of participants, marijuana-only use in 9.7%, and dual e-cigarette/marijuana use in 10.2%. E-cigarette-only use (vs no use) was associated with increased odds of reporting suicidal ideation (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]:1.23, 95% CI 1.03–1.47) and depressive symptoms (AOR: 1.37, 95% CI 1.19–1.57), which was also observed with marijuana-only use (AOR: 1.25, 95% CI 1.04–1.50 and AOR: 1.49, 95% CI 1.27–1.75) and dual use (AOR: 1.28, 95% CI 1.06–1.54 and AOR: 1.62, 95% CI 1.39–1.88). Conclusions: Youth with single and dual e-cigarette and marijuana use had increased odds of reporting depressive symptoms and suicidality compared to youth who denied use. There is a need for effective prevention and intervention strategies to help mitigate adverse mental health outcomes in this population.