Pain Severity and Anxiety Sensitivity Interplay Among Exclusive and Dual Electronic Cigarette Users

Although electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are an increasingly common form of substance use, there is little understanding of individual differences that may relate to such use. The present investigation examined interactive effects between the cognitive factor of anxiety sensitivity and pain severity in relation to e-cigarette dependence, perceived risks of e-cigarette use, and perceived benefits of e-cigarette use.

Participants were 319 e-cigarette users (60.5% female, mean age = 36.82 years, SD = 10.62).

As expected, the interaction between anxiety sensitivity and pain severity was significantly related to increased e-cigarette dependence, perceived risks of e-cigarette use, and perceived benefits of e-cigarette use. The effects were evident above and beyond the variance accounted for by sex, age, income, education, dual combustible cigarette use, and e-cigarette use frequency. The form of the significant interaction indicated that participants reporting co-occurring higher levels of anxiety sensitivity and pain severity evinced greater e-cigarette dependence, perceived risks of e-cigarette use, and perceived benefits of e-cigarette use.

The present findings suggest there needs to be further study of anxiety sensitivity and pain severity in the context of e-cigarette use, as there may be benefit to screening for and clinically addressing these factors to help offset e-cigarette use.