A study on The Relationship and Predictive Power of Nicotine Addiction Levels and Depression in Adolescents Who Vape

Abstract

Predictive descriptive research was to study the relationship and predictive power of nicotine addiction levels and depression in adolescents who use e-cigarettes. The sample consisted of 84 adolescents who age was 15-18 years in Mueang District, Surin Province. Data were collected between November and December 2024. The data collection instruments included a personal information questionnaire, the nicotine addiction assessment, and a depression assessment for adolescents. Research tools were verified the reliability, Cronbach's alpha coefficient values were 0.84 and 0.92 for nicotine addiction assessment, and a depression assessment respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, and simple regression analysis. The results found that the majority of the sample were male (88.1%), age 18 years old (98.8%), higher vocational certificate students (82.1%), the parents living together (75%), primary caregiver mostly mothers (56%). Mostly family member did not smoke (59.5%). The level of nicotine dependence has a low positive correlation with the depression (r=0.269). The level of nicotine dependence predicted the depression 7.1% (p-value<.05).