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Final Thesis Manuscript 4-21.pdf (410.24 KB)

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Examining the Effects of Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms, and Gender, on Subsequent Tobacco Product Use

Kittaneh, Ahmad Azzam
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1619009322398511

Abstract Details

2021, MA, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychological Sciences.
Traditional combustible cigarette use has decreased significantly in the past two decades. However, adolescents and young adults have demonstrated alarming rates of other tobacco product use including surges in non-combustible products (e.g., e-cigarettes). Additionally, concern is growing regarding the use of multiple tobacco products (e.g., concurrent use of combustible cigarettes and e-cigarettes) placing adolescents at higher risk for tobacco-related health consequences. Internalizing distress, such as depressive or anxiety symptoms, have been shown to predict future tobacco use, across multiple tobacco products. Externalizing concerns, which include aggression, impulsivity, and inattention, also have unique associations with future tobacco use and tobacco use frequency. Rates of internalizing and externalizing distress differ across gender, with females generally reporting more significant internalizing concerns and males typically demonstrating greater externalizing issues. Taken together, psychological and behavioral concerns may be critical factors that predict tobacco initiation and sustained use of these products. As the tobacco use landscape changes, re-examination of factors that predict tobacco use is required. The current study examined whether these variables predict tobacco initiation (e.g., first use) and sustained use over time across multiple tobacco products in adolescents. Participants were drawn from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study, a nationally representative longitudinal study assessing tobacco use in adults and young adults. The sample included 6,170 youth who were tobacco-naive at baseline. We examined past-month internalizing and externalizing symptoms at baseline and subsequent use of cigarette, e-cigarette, cigar, hookah, pipe, smokeless tobacco, and other tobacco product use in follow-up years 2 and 3. Both internalizing and externalizing symptoms were associated with the initiation and sustained use of several tobacco products. Significant interactions between gender and internalizing symptom scores were observed, such that internalizing symptoms were associated with increased odds of initiating e-cigarette and poly-tobacco product use for females only. Also, females who reported greater externalizing symptoms were more likely to sustain other tobacco product use (e.g., cigar, hookah, pipe, smokeless tobacco, bidis, and kreteks). No significant associations between internalizing and externalizing symptom scores and tobacco use frequency were observed. The current study may inform tobacco prevention efforts that aim to identify potential risk-factors preceding tobacco initiation and sustained use.
William Lechner (Advisor)
Christopher Was (Committee Member)
Jennifer Taber (Committee Member)
John Gunstad (Committee Member)
42 p.
Psychology
Tobacco Product Use; Electronic Cigarettes

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Kittaneh, A. A. (2021). Examining the Effects of Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms, and Gender, on Subsequent Tobacco Product Use [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1619009322398511

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Kittaneh, Ahmad. Examining the Effects of Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms, and Gender, on Subsequent Tobacco Product Use. 2021. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1619009322398511.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Kittaneh, Ahmad. "Examining the Effects of Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms, and Gender, on Subsequent Tobacco Product Use." Master's thesis, Kent State University, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1619009322398511

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1619009322398511
173
© 2021, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.