Electronic cigarette use and mental health among Korean adolescents by gender

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between electronic cigarette use and mental health factors such as stress, suicidal thinking, and generalized anxiety disorder among Korean adolescents. Methods: Based on the 19th (2023) Youth Health Behavior Survey, cross-analysis(Rao-Scott χ 2 test) and complex design logistic regression analysis were conducted to identify e-cigarette use and mental health factors. Results: Lifetime use experience with electronic cigarettes (OR:1.218) and current use of electronic cigarettes (OR:1.266) for male adolescents and lifetime use experience of electronic cigarettes(OR:1.587 ) for female adolescents were influential factors on stress. Lifetime experience with e-cigarettes (OR:1.866) and current use of e-cigarettes (OR:1.651) for male adolescents and lifetime experience with e-cigarettes (OR:2.375) and current use of e-cigarettes (OR:1.841) for female adolescents were influential factors on suicidal thinking. Lifetime experience with e-cigarettes (OR:1.307) among male adolescents and lifetime experience with e-cigarettes (OR:1.616) among female adolescents were influencing factors for generalized anxiety disorder. Conclusion: Because there is a significant relationship between adolescent e-cigarette use and mental health, e-cigarette prevention education is needed early in adolescence.