A recent study has revealed a troubling correlation between severe depression and vaping among Australian high school students. The research, conducted by the University of Sydney’s Matilda Centre as part of the OurFutures vaping prevention program, found that students exhibiting symptoms of severe depression or poor wellbeing are twice as likely to have tried vaping.
Surveying over 5,000 students aged 12 to 14 from 40 schools across New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia, the study identified that one-fifth of students in years 7 and 8 showed moderate to severe depression symptoms. Additionally, one-third reported poor wellbeing, another third experienced high stress, and one-fifth had high anxiety.
The study, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, highlights that students with moderate or high stress levels are significantly more likely to have tried vaping compared to those with lower stress levels. Despite a close association, anxiety levels did not show a strong correlation with vape use.
Associate Professor Emily Stockings from the University of Sydney emphasized the need for integrated interventions targeting both mental health and vaping prevention. With vaping rates among students nearly quadrupling between 2017 and 2022/23, and significant mental health challenges reported among young Australians, the findings underscore the importance of early mental health support.
The study also noted that while around 8% of students aged 12 to 14 had tried vaping, this figure rose to 24% among older students. The results suggest a critical need for improved support during this developmental stage to prevent adolescents from turning to vaping as a coping mechanism.
However, the study’s limitations include the exclusion of public schools and a focus on students from educationally advantaged backgrounds, potentially overlooking more vulnerable groups. Ongoing research within the OurFutures program will continue to explore these issues and provide further insights into the complex relationship between mental health and vaping among teenagers.
