Australian high school students with symptoms of severe depression or poor wellbeing are twice as likely to have tried vaping, a new study has found.
What Did the Study Reveal?
The study, part of the OurFutures vaping prevention program led by the University of Sydney’s Matilda Centre, surveyed over 5,000 students aged 12 to 14 in 2023. It found that one-fifth of students in years 7 and 8 exhibited moderate to severe depression symptoms, highlighting the need for early intervention targeting both mental health and vaping.
How Prevalent is Vaping Among Teens?
About 8% of students aged 12 to 14 had tried vaping, with 2% having vaped in the last month. These figures increased to 24% and 13% respectively for the older 12- to 15-year-old age group, according to the nationwide Australian secondary students’ alcohol and drug survey.
Why is This Concerning?
The results, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, showed that one-third of the cohort reported poor wellbeing, another third had high stress, and one-fifth had high anxiety. Students with moderate or high stress levels were significantly more likely to have tried vaping.
What Are Experts Saying?
Emily Stockings, a co-author of the study, emphasized the importance of addressing mental health and vaping together. Michelle Jongenelis from the University of Melbourne highlighted the critical developmental period when teenagers start high school, stressing the need for better support to prevent them from turning to vapes.
What Are the Limitations of the Study?
One limitation noted by Stockings was the exclusion of public schools, which might have omitted insights from the most vulnerable students. The study also couldn’t explain the link between nicotine use and mental health issues as it was based on data from a single point in time.
For more information, visit the full article on The Guardian.
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