Disparities in E-Cigarette Harm and Addiction Perceptions Among Adolescents in the United States: a Systematic Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Health disparities associated with e-cigarette use are increasingly apparent among US adolescents. Perceptions of e-cigarette harm and addiction play an important role in understanding adolescents' e-cigarette use behavior. The objective of this systematic review is to examine racial/ethnic and socio-economic disparities in e-cigarette harm and addiction perceptions among US adolescents. METHODS: We searched five databases to identify cross-sectional or longitudinal studies that focused on adolescents (≤ 18 years of age) who were ever, current, or never e-cigarettes users; we then examined how race/ethnicity and/or socio-economic status (SES) impacted e-cigarette harm and/or addiction perceptions. Two co-authors independently identified relevant studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias. RESULTS: Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, eight of 226 identified studies met the inclusion criteria. These eight studies examined either perceptions regarding absolute e-cigarette harm and/or addiction (i.e., assessing perception of only e-cigarette) or relative e-cigarette harm and/or addiction (i.e., comparative perceptions to traditional cigarettes) by race and ethnicity. Two of the eight studies assessed absolute harm and/or addiction perceptions of e-cigarettes by SES. Our results indicate that, compared to all other racial/ethnic groups, relative e-cigarette harm and addiction perceptions were lower among Non-Hispanic White adolescents; however, absolute e-cigarette harm perception was higher among these groups. No clear patterns of racial/ethnic differences in absolute e-cigarette addiction perceptions and SES differences in absolute e-cigarette harm perceptions were reported. CONCLUSION: More research is needed to explicitly assess perceptions of e-cigarette harm and addiction among US adolescents by race/ethnicity and SES to develop subgroup appropriate public health messaging.

Association Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Opioid Use-Related Behaviors: A Systematic Review.

As opioid use-related behaviors continue at epidemic proportions, identifying the root causes of these behaviors is critical. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are shown to be an important predictor of opioid initiation, opioid dependence, and lifetime opioid overdose. The purpose of this systematic review is to examine the association between ACEs and opioid use-related behaviors later in life and to discuss implications for policy, practice, and research regarding ACEs and opioids. Five databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Medline, and Scopus) were used to identify studies investigating the association between ACEs and opioid use-related behaviors. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, 20 studies out of the initial 428 met the inclusion criteria for this review. Among the included 20 studies, 15 focused on the relationship between ACEs and lifetime opioid use-related behaviors, and five focused on current opioid use-related behaviors. All studies found statistical associations between ACEs and lifetime or current opioid use-related behaviors. Five studies found a significant gradient effect; that is, as the number of ACEs increased, the risk of opioid use-related behaviors also increased. A significant dose-response relationship exists between ACEs and opioid use-related behaviors. Hence, it is essential for clinicians to screen for ACEs before prescribing opioid medications, for opioid treatment to incorporate trauma-informed methods, and for messaging around opioid use interventions to include information about ACEs. The current review points to a critical need to implement standardized ACE screening instruments in clinical and research settings.

Methamphetamine-Induced Wakefulness and Sleep Management: A Qualitative Analysis of Online Narratives.

While much attention has been given to methamphetamine's wake-promoting properties and the concept of using methamphetamine to increase energy, little is known about the ways people who use methamphetamine manage their use to pursue their functional goals or the challenges they encounter doing so. This qualitative study explores the experiences of people who used methamphetamine to manage wakefulness and reduce sleep as a means to achieve functional goals. We conducted a grounded theory analysis of 202 anonymous letters submitted to an online forum. Five themes emerged from this process: (1) Using methamphetamine to extend wakefulness and reduce the need for sleep; (2) Losing control over wakefulness and the need for sleep; (3) Managing wakefulness and the need for sleep while on methamphetamine; (4) Getting caught in a cycle of wakefulness and sleep; and (5) Sleep disruptions even after ceasing methamphetamine use. Participants believed methamphetamine was critical to meeting their functional goals, and they went to great lengths to try to manage the substance's ill effects. Thus, clients in treatment for methamphetamine use disorder may benefit from interventions addressing their underlying motivations and perceived associations between methamphetamine and meeting functional goals.

Re: Effects of Abstinence Self-Efficacy and Outcome Expectancies of Tobacco Smoking on the Desire to Quit Among Saudi Women: A Cross-Sectional Mediation Analysis.

This letter offers commentary on Alanazi and colleagues recent analysis of desire to quit tobacco use among Saudi women, and suggestions for future studies.