Childhood and Adolescent Predictors of Substance Abuse in Emerging Adulthood
Principal Investigator: Judy Andrews
Funding Mechanism: National Institutes of Health- Grant
ID number: 3 R01 DA010767-15S2
Award Date: 3/1/2013
Institution: Oregon Research Institute
Novel tobacco products (e.g., snus, dissolvables, e-cigarettes, little cigars, and hookah) are perceived to be less harmful and addictive than traditional products, particularly by young adults, who are more likely to use them. This underscores the need for post-market surveillance of consumer awareness and uptake of these products, as well as an understanding of the factors leading to perceptions of their risks. This study will examine the perceptions, beliefs, and use of novel tobacco products in a large cohort of young adults (aged 20-26). Study aims are: (1) to examine the prevalence, frequency and quantity of use of the novel products listed above, the existence of dual- or poly-use, and product use as a function of demographics (i.e., age, gender, race/minority status, income status, education, current employment and student status); (2) to examine the association between various factors (i.e., favorable social images, risk perceptions, perceived benefits, personality traits) and quantity and frequency of use; (3) to examine why subjects use/change products, their order of product adoption, how they learned about the product, and their exposure and receptivity to advertising messages; (4) to chart the association between novel product use and traditional tobacco product use and dependence; and (5) to examine predictors of use. Investigators will conduct two questionnaire-based assessments 10 months apart in approximately 900 young adults who have been followed since childhood by the Oregon Youth Substance Use Project. Investigators will also conduct follow-up interviews with 300 and 225 participants, respectively, after each of the two assessments. Findings will provide information that can inform tobacco regulatory activities and future epidemiological studies that assess pathways to tobacco use at a critical developmental stage.