Differentiating the Determinants of Ever Having Used a Vape Versus Frequent Use: A Hurdle Modelling Approach

Background The rising popularity of vaping among young people constitutes a significant public health concern, underscoring the need to identify factors that contribute to youth initiation and continued engagement in this potentially harmful behaviour. Investigation into the psychological mechanisms underlying vaping among young people remains relatively nascent and has, to date, seldom differentiated between the initial decision to try vaping (i.e., ever-use) and the regulation of sustained patters of use (i.e., frequent use). Methods We surveyed 451 undergraduate students, collecting data on vaping use, attitudes toward vaping, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, harm perceptions, and behavioural automaticity. A hurdle modelling approach was used to exam two distinct processes; (1) the predictors of ever-use versus no vaping use, and (2) the frequency of use among individuals with prior vaping experience. Results Findings supported the application of hurdle modelling, revealing distinct predictors for ever-use and frequent use. Specifically, the former was predicted by attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control, whereas the latter was predicted solely by attitudes and behavioural automaticity. Notably, harm perceptions did not predict either ever-use or the frequency of use. Conclusions Findings indicate that both ever having used a vape and frequency of use are primarily driven by beliefs of the outcomes and experiential experiences of the behaviour, rather than by cognitive evaluations of harm. Although conclusions are limited by the cross-sectional design, current results point to the possibility that the psychological determinants of initial experimentation with vaping may differ from those that sustain frequent use.