DRIVEN BY IMPULSE: THE ROLE OF REWARD SENSITIVITY IN ADOLESCENTS USING E-CIGARETTE

Abstract

Adolescent vaping has emerged as one of the key public health issues because it has been associated with behavioral and mental health problems. This paper has investigated the connection between the use of e-cigarette and reward system dysregulation and impulsivity among adolescents, and the particular issue of whether the reward system dysregulation can be used to mediate the relationship between vaping and impulsive behavior. According to the quantitative design, a sample population of 140 adolescents was recruited by use of purposive sampling, with standardized self-report instruments given to the individuals to complete, including those individuals displayed the use of e-cigarettes at least twice a week during the previous month. Pearson correlations and mediation analysis indicated that the increased e-cigarette consumption was linked to increased impulsivity and dysregulation of the reward system but the mediation effect of dysregulation of the reward system was not significant. These findings imply that where reward system dysregulation is not necessarily the focal point of connection between vaping and impulsivity, patient-focused and prevention-oriented interventions should be implemented, taking into account the impact of the environment, psychology, and neurobiology.