Differences in Attentional Bias Toward e-Cigarette Cues Between e-Cigarette Users and Nonusers

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Behavioral Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) use is rising, especially among young adults.
• Cognitive factors, like attentional bias (AB), are under-researched in relation to ENDS use.
• AB involves altered attention engagement or disengagement from stimuli.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate differences in attentional bias toward ENDS cues between ENDS users and non-users.
• To explore cognitive mechanisms underlying ENDS use in young adults.

Main Methods:

• Employed dot-probe and eye-tracking tasks with young adults (18-29 years).
• Compared attentional bias patterns in 29 ENDS users and 24 non-users.
• Measured dwell time and fixation duration on ENDS-related cues.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in the variance of attentional bias were observed between groups.
• ENDS users showed greater net dwell time and fixation time on ENDS cues.
• ENDS users exhibited attentional fluctuation and difficulty disengaging from ENDS cues.

Conclusions:

• Findings highlight biased attentional processing toward ENDS cues in users.
• Results inform the development of cognitive interventions for ENDS use.
• Suggests potential for nurse-led interventions targeting attentional biases.