Relational Victimization, Depressive Symptoms, and E-cigarette Use Intentions Among Adolescents: A Parallel Process...

We examined the longitudinal associations between relational victimization, depressive symptoms, and e-cigarette use intentions among adolescents in Guam, a U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Island in the Western Pacific region. We also explored potential gender differences in these associations. Data were drawn from three waves of surveys that were administered to public middle school students (N = 528; M = 12.66, SD = 0.89). In a parallel process growth curve model, our results indicated that, at the intercept level, higher levels of relational victimization were associated with greater levels of depressive symptoms, which were, in turn, related to stronger intentions to use e-cigarettes. However, relational victimization was not directly associated with e-cigarette use intentions. Girls experienced more relational victimization and showed more depressive symptoms than boys, but not e-cigarette use intentions. Furthermore, at the slope level, changes in relational victimization were associated with changes in e-cigarette use intentions. Although the changes in relational victimization covaried with changes in depressive symptoms, there was no mediation effect. The overall mediation model did not differ between boys and girls. In the context of the Pacific Islands, we discussed clinical and developmental implications, as well as directions for future research.