Relational Victimization, Depressive Symptoms, and E-cigarette Use Intentions Among Adolescents: A Parallel Process Growth Curve Model
Abstract
We examined the longitudinal associations between relational victimization, depressive symptoms, and e-cigarette use intentions among adolescents in Guam, a U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Island in the Western Pacific region. We also explored potential gender differences in these associations. Data were drawn from three waves of surveys that were administered to public middle school students (N = 528; M = 12.66, SD = 0.89). In a parallel process growth curve model, our results indicated that, at the intercept level, higher levels of relational victimization were associated with greater levels of depressive symptoms, which were, in turn, related to stronger intentions to use e-cigarettes. However, relational victimization was not directly associated with e-cigarette use intentions. Girls experienced more relational victimization and showed more depressive symptoms than boys, but not e-cigarette use intentions. Furthermore, at the slope level, changes in relational victimization were associated with changes in e-cigarette use intentions. Although the changes in relational victimization covaried with changes in depressive symptoms, there was no mediation effect. The overall mediation model did not differ between boys and girls. In the context of the Pacific Islands, we discussed clinical and developmental implications, as well as directions for future research.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 528 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- The neurocircuitry of addiction: an overview
- Gender Differences in Human Brain: A Review
- Stratified medicine for mental disorders
- The neurobiology of drug addiction: cross-species insights into the dysfunction and recovery of the prefrontal cortex
- Annual Research Review: DNA methylation as a mediator in the association between risk exposure and child and adolescent psychopathology
- Schizophrenia: The new etiological synthesis
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.