Longitudinal and bidirectional associations between family conflict and adolescents' e-cigarette use.

Abstract

This study examined potential longitudinal and bidirectional relationships between family conflict and adolescent e-cigarette use, and whether gender moderated these associations. Adolescents (NT1 = 1334; Mage = 13.11, SD = 0.82; 52% female; 50% White) from the United States completed surveys in the spring of 2016 and again in the fall of 2017. Logistic regression analyses indicated that after controlling for previous e-cigarette use, family conflict was positively associated with a greater likelihood of e-cigarette use 6 months later. Results from multiple regression analyses indicated that after controlling for previous family conflict, e-cigarette use was associated with increases in later family conflict, particularly for girls. Study findings highlight reducing family conflict and supporting family functioning as a possible intervention target for adolescent e-cigarette use, a major public health problem.