Facing Bias, Finding Escape: How Indian American Youth Turn to E-Cigarettes as a Coping Mechanism

Few studies have given attention to the relationship between experiences of perceived discrimination, negative context of reception (e.g., hostility toward a particular group), and e-cigarette use among Indian American youth. This brief explored the predictors of lifetime e-cigarette use among a cross-sectional cohort of Indian American youth.

A cross-sectional survey was administered to Indian American youth (N = 223) ages 12 to 17. Bivariate screening was performed, and each variable with a significant bivariate correlation with lifetime e-cigarette use was included in the multivariable binary regression model. A multivariable binary regression model was conducted to estimate the associations between perceived discrimination and e-cigarette use.

Nearly one-fifth (21.4%; n = 48) of the sample reported lifetime e-cigarette use. Results from the multivariable logistic regression model demonstrated that the odds of reporting e-cigarette use increased by approximately 19% (OR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.02-2.55; p = <0.001) for each additional discriminatory experience. Experiencing a perceived negative reception also increased the odds of reporting e-cigarette use (OR = 1.11; 95% CI = 1.01-1.96; p = 0.022).

Our findings demonstrate how feeling unwelcomed and experiencing discrimination may increase the adolescents' engagement with e-cigarette use as a potential coping mechanism. These findings highlight the importance of addressing the effects of experiencing bias, discriminatory experiences, and negative context of reception when examining substance use behaviors among the growing Indian American youth population. Prevention efforts should consider culturally tailored interventions that not only address the physical health risks of e-cigarette use but also consider how the effects of discrimination contribute to its use as a coping mechanism.