Researchers Find Nicotine Use Increased Self-Harm Ideations Among Young Adults
New research finds that cigarette/e-cigarette use directly increases the risk of suicidal ideation among young adults. Among 16–23-year-olds in Texas who reported nicotine use, researchers found that current use of e-cigarettes was associated with a 30% increase in the odds of suicidal ideation, while being a current cigarette smoker was associated with a 47% increase in the odds of suicidal ideation.
Associate Professor Anna V. Wilkinson, PhD, with the Department of Epidemiology, served as the first author of the study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research.
Professor Melissa Harrell, PhD, senior author of the study, and team collected data from 2,329 young adults across the state of Texas who reported nicotine use in the last 30 days and provided information on suicidal thoughts, consideration, or planning of self-harm. In 2021, suicide was the third-leading cause of death for young adults ages 15-24, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
As the risk of suicidality increases in the U.S., researchers from UTHealth Houston School of Public Health looked to find if a linkage between nicotine and increased impulsivity or anxiety led to harmful thoughts. In previous work, other researchers have studied the impact of cigarette usage, but Wilkinson and team sought to analyze the effects of both cigarette/e-cigarettes.
"Increased awareness of the relationship between nicotine use and suicidal ideation among young adults is paramount, as nicotine use, especially in the form of e-cigarettes, continues to rise rapidly in this vulnerable population," said Harrell with the Department of Epidemiology.
The study reported that Hispanic youths had a higher risk of suicidal thoughts than responses collected from non-persons of color. These findings suggest the need for tailored intervention for Hispanic, Black, and White youth for nicotine effects on impulsivity.
“Culturally appropriate support is needed for ethnic and racial minority youth and young adults in school, college, and at work,” said Wilkinson on the reported risk for persons of color. Her and team will further develop their research to identify the significance of gender and cultural identities in future studies. “We are currently looking at risk and protective factors associated with suicidal ideation among Mexican American college students in Texas.”
Additional researchers from the School of Public Health included Baojiang Chen, PhD; Dale S. Mantey, PhD; and Bara S. Bataineh, PhD. Other authors included Alan C. Swann, MD; David P. Graham, MD; Alexandra Loukas, PhD; and David A. Nielsen, PhD, with Baylor College of Medicine; and Thomas R. Kosten, MD, with The University of Texas at Austin.