Peer Influence and the Psychological Pathways of Vaping Behavior in Young Adults

Abstract

The present research was conducted using a correlational research design to explore the association between peer pressure, sensation seeking, curiosity, and vaping among young adults, where curiosity played the role of a mediator. A purposive sample of 150 young adults aged 19–25 years was recruited from government and private colleges, universities, and vaping outlets in Lahore. Participants answered questions contained in a questionnaire booklet which comprised a demographics questionnaire, Parent and Peer Influence Scale, Brief Sensation Seeking Scale, Curiosity and Exploration Inventory-II, and Modified E-Cigarette Questionnaire. The results revealed a positive association between sensation seeking and peer influence on curiosity, especially embracing. Embracing curiosity significantly predicted stimulant effect, negative reinforcement, and positive reinforcement motives for vaping, while the stretching dimension showed negative associations with certain vaping outcomes. Mediation analyses revealed that embracing curiosity partially mediated the relationship between peer influence and vaping behaviors. Stress, included as a covariate, was primarily associated with aversion-related vaping motives. In conclusion, the research indicates that curiosity, particularly curiosity acceptance, has a significant impact on how social and personality traits influence vaping behavior. It is clear that efforts to prevent or treat vaping in young adults should consider motivations based on curiosity.