Childhood traumatic experiences and vaping among Australian adolescents: A prospective investigation.

Abstract

Introduction: Childhood traumatic experiences (CTE) have been identified as a robust risk factor for a range of substance use behaviours. However, little is known about their association with adolescent vaping. We explored prospective associations between CTEs and vaping among a sample of Australian adolescents.

Methods: The sample comprised 2234 adolescents (baseline M_age = 12.7 years, SD = 0.5; 49.9% female) enrolled in the Health4Life cluster randomised controlled trial. Using mixed effects logistic regression analyses, data from the baseline and 36-month assessment waves were used to examine whether CTEs (by ~ age 12) were associated with current or lifetime vaping and future intentions to vape (~ age 15).

Results: Adjusting for socio-demographic variables, CTE exposure at baseline was associated with higher odds of ever having vaped (odds ratio 1.64, 95% confidence interval 1.34, 2.02), and of being a current regular vape user (odds ratio 1.63, 95% confidence interval 1.11, 2.39). Experiencing CTEs was also associated with higher odds of intending to vape in the future (odds ratio 1.44, 95% confidence interval 1.11, 1.86).

Discussion and conclusions: This study is the first to identify CTEs as a risk factor for vaping, and intentions to vape in the future, among Australian adolescents. These findings align with global research and highlight another common risk factor across various forms of substance use. CTE exposed adolescents represent a priority group who may require earlier and more targeted vaping intervention.