Ego networks associated with e-cigarette use among college fraternity students: a cross-sectional study.
Publication Title
Journal of American college health : J of ACH
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-2-2025
Keywords
e-cigarettes; health risk behaviors; higher education; social network analysis; young adult; washington; swedish; swedish thoracic surgery
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To use egocentric network analysis (ENA) to identify how the role of social networks relates to e-cigarette use among college fraternity members.
PARTICIPANTS: 212 fraternity members participated in this study.
METHODS: Hierarchical logistic regression analyses assessed the relationship between egocentric network variables and ever use and current use of e-cigarettes. Network variables were created based on two relational networks of important and communicative networks.
RESULTS: Seventy-three percent (155/212) of our sample have used an e-cigarette at least once in their lifetime, and 41% (89/212) of our sample currently use e-cigarettes. Important people networks were significantly associated with ever use and current use while communicative networks were not significantly associated with ever use or current use of e-cigarettes among our sample population.
CONCLUSION: Perceived positive reactions to e-cigarette use by important relationships may be an important factor associated with ever use and e-cigarette use for fraternity members.
Area of Special Interest
Cancer
Specialty/Research Institute
Pulmonary Medicine
Specialty/Research Institute
Population Health
DOI
10.1080/07448481.2024.2440754
