Motives of tobacco use among young adults in the United States Air Force
APA Citation:
Pebley, K., Pilehvari, A., Krukowski, R. A., Morris, J. D., & Little, M. A. (2023). Motives of tobacco use among young adults in the United States Air Force. American Journal of Health Promotion. 37(6), 778-785. https://doi.org/10.1177/08901171231156527
Focus:
Substance use
Branch of Service:
Air Force
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Subject Affiliation:
Active duty service member
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Authors:
Pebley, Kinsey, Pilehvari, Asal, Krukowski, Rebecca A., Morris, James D., Little, Melissa A.
Abstract:
PurposeResearch has focused on cigarette use motives and have not included military personnel. The current study assessed tobacco use motives for different products, and differences within males and females and those with different racial identities given historical disparities in tobacco use.DesignA cross-sectional survey about tobacco use was administered from October 2019 to February 2022.SettingFour Technical Training bases in the US.SampleAir Force Airmen who used tobacco (N = 3243).MeasuresQuestions were about sociodemographic characteristics, tobacco use, and the Tobacco Motives Inventory (representing affect regulation, boredom, enhancement, and social motives).AnalysisLinear regressions assessed associations between overall tobacco use and motives. Stratified analyses assessed associations between tobacco use and motives among males and females, and individuals from different racial backgrounds. Logistic regressions assessed differences in motives and use of different tobacco products between ?some day? and ?everyday? users.ResultsOverall, boredom (B = .09, SE = .01) and affect regulation (B = .05, SE = .00) motives were associated with higher tobacco use. Males and females and individuals from different racial backgrounds endorsed different motives, but all endorsed boredom as a motive for higher tobacco use. Individuals who used cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or smokeless tobacco ?some days? endorsed higher social motives than everyday users, but everyday users endorsed different motives across products.ConclusionThere are motives differentiating between ?some day? and ?everyday? users of tobacco products, which may need to be differentially targeted in intervention programs. Additionally, there are some overlapping motives (affect regulation, boredom) that may be beneficial to address with all tobacco users.
Publication Type:
Article
Keywords:
tobacco use, young adults, Air Force