Harm Perceptions of E-cigarette Use Among New Zealand Young People

BACKGROUND Approximately 10% to 12% of New Zealand children and young people have long-term physical conditions (also known as chronic illnesses) and are more likely to develop psychological problems, particularly anxiety and depression. Delayed treatment leads to worse physical and mental healthcare, school absence, and poorer long-term outcomes. Recently, electronic health (eHealth) interventions, especially those based on the principles of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), have been shown to be as good as face-to-face therapy. Biofeedback techniques have also been shown to enhance relaxation during the treatment of anxiety. However, these modalities have rarely been combined. Young people with long-term physical conditions have expressed a preference for well-designed and technologically-based support to deal with psychological issues, especially anxiety. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to co-design and evaluate the (i) acceptability and (ii) usability of a CBT and biofeedback-based, 5-module eHealth game called ‘Starship Rescue’ and (iii) to provide preliminary evidence regarding its effectiveness in addressing anxiety and quality of life in young people with long-term physical conditions. METHODS Starship Rescue was co-designed with children and young people from a tertiary hospital in Auckland, New Zealand. Following this, 24 young people aged 10 to 17 years were enrolled in an open trial, during which they were asked to use the game for an 8-week period. Acceptability of the game to all participants was assessed using a brief, open-ended questionnaire, and more detailed feedback was obtained from a subset of 10 participants via semi-structured interviews. Usability was evaluated via the System Usability Scale (SUS) and device-recorded frequency and duration of access on completion of the game. Anxiety levels were measured prior to commencement, on completion of the game, and 3 months later using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) and Spence Child Anxiety Scales (SCAS), and at the start of each module and at the end of the game using an embedded Likert/visual analog scale. Quality of life was measured prior to commencement and on completion of the game using the Pediatric Quality of Life Scale (PEDS-QL). RESULTS Users gave Starship Rescue an overall rating of 5.9 out of 10 (range 3-10 and a mean score of 71 out of 100 (SD 11.7; min 47.5; max 90) on the System Usability Scale (SUS). The mean time period for use of the game was just over 11-weeks (78.8 days, 13.5 hours, 40 minutes). Significant reductions in anxiety were noted between the start and end of the game on the GAD-7 (-4.6 (p=0.000)), SCAS (-9.6 (p=0.005)), and the Likert/visual analogue scales (-2.4 (p=0.001)). Quality of life also improved on the PedsQL scale (+4.3 (p=0.042)). All changes were sustained at 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS This study provides preliminary evidence for Starship Rescue being an acceptable, usable and effective eHealth intervention for addressing anxiety in young people with long-term physical conditions. Further evaluation is planned via a more formal randomized controlled trial. CLINICALTRIAL Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Network Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12616001253493p;https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=371443 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6sYB716lf)

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E-cigarettes and smoking in Irish teens: a logistic regression analysis of current (past 30-day) use of e-cigarettes

Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1007/s10389-021-01610-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Joan Hanafin ◽

Salome Sunday ◽

Luke Clancy

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Young People ◽

Cigarette Use ◽

Cigarette Smokers ◽

Familial Support ◽

School Survey ◽

Binge Drinkers ◽

Alcohol And Other Drugs

Abstract Aim Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use among Irish teenagers has risen significantly. In 2019, prevalence of current use (last 30 days) among 15–17-year-olds was 17.3%. We examine social determinants of adolescent e-cigarette current use. Subject and methods A stratified random sample of 50 schools in Ireland was surveyed in 2019, part of the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and other Drugs (ESPAD), with 3495 students aged 15, 16, and 17. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression [providing adjusted odds ratios (AORs)] analyses were performed using Stata version 16. Results Current e-cigarette users were more likely to be male (AOR = 0.55, 95% CI:0.32–0.96, p < .01), younger (AOR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.17–0.67, p = < .05), to participate in sport (AOR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.05–4.65, p < .05), to have higher-educated parents (maternal higher education: AOR = 27.54, 95% CI: 1.50–505.77, p = < .05, paternal higher education: AOR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.00–5.91, p < .05), and less likely to consider their families better off (AOR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.13–0.65, p < .01), or to report familial support (AOR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.64–0.95, p < .05). They were more likely to be cigarette smokers (AOR = 7.22, 95% CI: 3.97–13.12, p < .001), to report problem cannabis use (AOR = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.40–6.93, p < .01), to be ‘binge’ drinkers (AOR = 1.81, 95% CI : 1.00–3.32, p = .054), and to have friends who get drunk (AOR = 5.30, 95% CI: 1.34–20.86, p < .05). Conclusion Boys, smokers, binge drinkers, problem cannabis users, and sport-playing teenagers from higher-educated families, are at particular risk. As the number of young people using e-cigarettes continues to rise, including teenagers who have never smoked, improved regulation of e-cigarettes, similar to other tobacco-related products, is needed urgently to prevent this worrying new trend of initiation into nicotine addiction.

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Shaping of sustainable citizenship among young people of Kulhudhuffushi, Maldives and Hamilton, New Zealand: context, conditions and experiences

Sustainable Earth ◽

10.1186/s42055-020-00040-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Shaaliny Jaufar

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Young People ◽

Role Models ◽

Small Sample ◽

Natural Environments ◽

Active Citizenship ◽

Motivating Factors ◽

Cultural Attitudes ◽

Political Processes ◽

Counter Culture

Abstract Background Engagement of young people is essential for achieving sustainable outcomes both locally and in the global context. Democratic processes appear to be the most facilitative mechanism to hold governments to account with governments becoming more receptive to pro-environmental policies when there is input from citizens to do so. While there is concern about a general lack of participation in traditional forms of political processes, particularly among young people, there are those who are carving a space for themselves as active citizens within a system that is often times contradictory to their lives. In this context, this paper looks at the lived experiences of a small sample of active young people in Kulhudhuffushi island of Maldives and Hamilton, New Zealand to examine the contexts and conditions that lead to and sustain these forms of sustainable citizenship. Results In-depth interviews conducted with young people in both locations found similarities within both groups in terms of motivating factors, knowledge and support networks, lifestyle practices, and conceptualisations of citizenship. Early exposure to natural environments, role models and participation in actions and networks helped to create active citizenship, while lack of conducive spaces and cultural attitudes impeded activism. Conclusion The results show that providing opportunities for early interactions with nature, and participation in actions and activist networks is vital for fostering and sustaining active citizenship. Additionally local and national groups and institutions need to facilitate spaces conducive for organising and alternative narratives, as well as promoting a counter culture to the current carbon heavy system. The findings contribute to literature on listening to youth voices in environmental and climate activism.

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Cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use among university students in Queensland, Australia and New Zealand: results of two cross-sectional surveys

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041705 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. e041705

Author(s):

Ben Wamamili ◽

Sheleigh Lawler ◽

Mark Wallace-Bell ◽

Coral Gartner ◽

David Sellars ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Cigarette Smoking ◽

University Students ◽

Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Cigarette Use ◽

Dual Use ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Free Spaces ◽

And Gender

ObjectivesExamine the patterns of cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use (vaping), the perceived harm of e-cigarettes compared with tobacco cigarettes, and associations between smoking and vaping with student characteristics.DesignCross-sectional studies.SettingThe University of Queensland (UQ), Australia and eight New Zealand (NZ) universities.ParticipantsStudents at UQ: 4957 (70.8% aged <25 years, 63.0% women) and NZ: 1854 (82.5% aged <25 years, 60.1% women).MethodsΧ2 tests compared smoking by age and gender, and vaping by age, gender and smoking status. Two-sided p<0.05 was considered significant and 95% CIs reported where appropriate. Multinomial logistic regression examined associations between smoking and vaping (exclusive smoking, exclusive vaping, dual use and non-use) with age, gender and student type (domestic vs international).ResultsSmoking (UQ vs NZ, 95% CI): ever 45.2% (43.8% to 46.6%) vs 50.0% (47.7% to 52.3%), current 8.9% (8.1% to 9.7%) vs 10.4% (9.1% to 11.9%) and daily 5.2% (4.6% to 5.8%) vs 5.6% (4.6% to 6.7%), and not smoking in indoor 98.3% vs 87.7% or outdoor smoke-free spaces 83.8% vs 65.3%.Vaping (UQ vs NZ, 95% CI): ever 20.9% (19.8% to 22.1%) vs 37.6% (35.4% to 39.9%), current 1.8% (1.5% to 2.2%) vs 6.5% (5.4% to 7.7%) and daily 0.7% (0.5% to 1.0%) vs 2.5% (1.9% to 3.4%), and not vaping in indoor 91.4% vs 79.6% or outdoor smoke-free spaces 84.4% vs 71.3%. Of respondents, 71.7% (70.3% to 73.2%) vs 75.3% (72.9% to 77.6%) perceived e-cigarettes as less harmful than tobacco cigarettes.Men were more likely than women to smoke and vape, and to believe that e-cigarettes are less harmful. Regression models containing all predictors for smoking and vaping were significant and the effect of gender was significant for dual use, exclusive smoking and exclusive vaping (all p<0.01). Men had higher odds for smoking, vaping or dual use.ConclusionsResults suggest significant differences in patterns of smoking and vaping of university students in Australia and NZ, and a strong influence of gender on smoking and vaping.

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Paediatric Nursing in Australia and New Zealand

10.1017/9781108980944 ◽

2022 ◽

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Nursing Students ◽

Young People ◽

Transition To Parenthood ◽

Community Settings ◽

Problem Solving Skills ◽

Expert Team ◽

Reflective Questions ◽

Children’S Sleep ◽

Evidence Based Care

The health of babies, children and young people is fundamentally different from that of adults, so their healthcare must reflect their unique needs and engage their parents, family members and communities. Paediatric Nursing in Australia and New Zealand introduces nursing students to the care of infants, children, young people and their families in a range of clinical and community settings across Australasia. This third edition includes New Zealand content and an increased focus on families. New chapters cover health services available for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori children, the transition to parenthood for new families, children's sleep patterns and behaviour, and paediatric health in school settings. Case studies and reflective questions encourage students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Written by an expert team, Paediatric Nursing in Australia and New Zealand equips future nurses with the knowledge and skills to provide evidence-based care to babies, children and their families.

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It's not just the television: survey analysis of sedentary behaviour in New Zealand young people

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity ◽

10.1186/1479-5868-8-132 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 132 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Louise S Foley ◽

Ralph Maddison ◽

Yannan Jiang ◽

Timothy Olds ◽

Kate Ridley

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Young People ◽

Sedentary Behaviour ◽

Survey Analysis

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Change and Continuity in Vaping and Smoking by Young People: A Qualitative Case Study of a Friendship Group

10.20944/preprints201804.0034.v1 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Neil McKeganey ◽

Marina Barnard

Keyword(s):

Young People ◽

Electronic Cigarettes ◽

Cigarette Use ◽

Friendship Group ◽

Quantitative And Qualitative Research ◽

Short Period ◽

Actual Use ◽

Substantial Change

This paper explores as a case study the development of e-cigarette use and smoking within small friendship group (n=8) in Glasgow, Scotland. Interviewed twice at six months apart these 16/17 year olds reported substantial change in their use of and attitudes towards e-cigarettes and tobacco. At time 1 vaping generated much excitement and interest, with 6/8 having their own vape device. At time 2 only two young people still vaped, with the others no longer professing any interest in continued vaping. The two regular smokers, who had been smoking before they first vaped, now only vaped privately and to reduce their tobacco intake. This small case study illustrates plasticity in the use of electronic cigarettes; just as young people can initiate using these devices so too can they more away from their use- with such changes in actual use occurring within a relatively short period of time. These findings demonstrate more than anything else the volatility in young peoples’ substance use behaviour. If we are to better understand these behaviours we require both quantitative and qualitative research studies that are capable of both monitoring changes in individual and group behaviour over time but which are also able to elucidate the nuance of individual behaviour differentiating between long term, frequent, consistent use and more episodic, experimental and infrequent use by young people.

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Views of Young People in Rural Australia on SPARX, a Fantasy World Developed for New Zealand Youth With Depression

JMIR Serious Games ◽

10.2196/games.3183 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. e3 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Colleen Cheek ◽

Heather Bridgman ◽

Theresa Fleming ◽

Elizabeth Cummings ◽

Leonie Ellis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Young People ◽

Fantasy World ◽

Rural Australia

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What do young people think of development?: An exploration into the meanings young people make from NGO media

10.26686/wgtn.17005699.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Rachel Alexa Margaret Tallon

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Young People ◽

Global South ◽

Global Issues ◽

Political Implications ◽

New Meanings ◽

Awareness Raising ◽

Development Of Attitudes ◽

Developed World ◽

Do So

<p>Young people are not passive, homogenous audiences of media that is produced by international humanitarian and development organisations (NGOs). They actively read and engage with the messages cognitively and emotionally and in the process create new meanings. This thesis is an investigation into what interpretations young people make from NGO media. The twin goals of education and fundraising present certain difficulties for NGOs who view developed world schools as a key site for awareness-raising for both their brand and global issues of injustice. Critics are concerned that when representation is aligned directly and simplistically with charity, powerful messages are signalled to the viewers. The nature and impact of these messages are yet to be fully understood as there is little empirical evidence of how young people receive and interpret NGO media. This research directly addresses this gap. The research identifies and maps various interpretations that young people have on encountering images and messages produced by NGOs. Year 10 social studies classrooms were chosen as the context for data collection and 118 young people and seven teachers from five diverse secondary schools in New Zealand participated. They were canvassed using qualitative methods that included focus groups. The approach for this research was informed by postdevelopment critique which examines the power of the discourse of development in constructing ideas about people and development. The findings show young people to be astute and critical interpreters of NGO media. Teachers reported that NGO media is very influential and could be problematic in forming a solely negative view of the global South. Most of the young people approved of the sector’s charitable work but many expressed doubts about NGO expenditure and the accuracy of the imagery. A key finding is that many said they knew the images were designed to make them feel guilty in order to elicit action which was usually a donation. The findings support other research among adults and show the early development of attitudes towards NGOs and ideas about the developing world. The significance of a conflicting emotional response towards NGO marketing is a central finding for this thesis. This conflict of wanting to help and yet not being able to do so created a tangible tension within the young people and affected how they viewed people in the global South. Young people in New Zealand are emerging actors in the global development industry and their ideas will shape North-South interactions in the future. This research directly contributes to understanding the power of the NGO sector to mediate global relations across difference, a process of which there are moral and political implications.</p>

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