Assessing the Testability of the Multi-Theory Model (MTM) in Predicting Vaping Quitting Behavior among Young Adults in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Manoj Sharma, Kavita Batra (), Ravi Batra, Chia-Liang Dai, Traci Hayes, Melinda J. Ickes and Tejinder Pal Singh
Additional contact information
Manoj Sharma: Department of Social and Behavioral Health, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA
Kavita Batra: Department of Medical Education, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89102, USA
Ravi Batra: Department of Social and Behavioral Health, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA
Chia-Liang Dai: Department of Teaching and Learning, College of Education, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
Traci Hayes: College of Nursing, School of Health Professions, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA
Melinda J. Ickes: Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion, College of Education, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40509, USA
Tejinder Pal Singh: Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Division of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 19, 1-19

Abstract: Purpose: Given the increased exposure to e-cigarettes and nicotine among young adults, difficulty in quitting vaping is likely, which supports the need for effective behavioral interventions. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aims to assess the testability of the contemporary multi-theory model of health behavior change in predicting the vaping quitting behavior among young adults in the United States. Methods: A nationally representative sample of 619 young adults engaged in vaping behavior and aged 18–24 years was recruited to complete a 49-item web-based survey. A structural equation model was used to test relationships between MTM constructs. Hierarchical multiple regression was utilized to predict the variance in the initiation and sustenance of vaping quitting behavior by predictor variables, such as demographic characteristics, history of behaviors, and MTM constructs. Results: Of 619 respondents, over 75% were White and nearly 70% had educational attainment equal to high school or some college. In total, 62% of respondents were using nicotine, followed by 33.3% were using cannabis. About 80% of the respondents reported being engaged in drinking alcohol, and nearly 45% were engaged in cigarette smoking. The predictive effect of all MTM constructs on vaping quitting initiation (adjusted R 2 = 0.417, F (23, 595) = 20.215, p < 0.001) and sustenance (adjusted R 2 = 0.366, F (23, 595) = 16.533, p < 0.001) was statistically significant. Conclusions: The findings of this study point to the usability and applicability of MTM in operationalizing and developing vaping quitting behavior interventions targeting young adults.

Keywords: vaping; smoking cessation; tobacco use; college students; young adults; e-cigarettes; nicotine; cannabis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/19/12139/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/19/12139/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12139-:d:924776

Access Statistics for this article

IJERPH is currently edited by Ms. Jenna Liu

More articles in IJERPH from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().