Impulsivity as a Predictor of Vaping: Mediation Effects of Deviant Peer Association

There is limited understanding of mechanisms underpinning the relationship between impulsivity and nicotine vaping. This study seeks to address this gap in the literature by examining deviant peer association as a mediator of this relationship. All five available waves of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study were analyzed ( N = 11,880). This is a United States general population sample with participants of ages 8-10 at baseline. Generalized structural equation modeling is used to examine the direct effects of impulsivity on vaping risk and the indirect effect impulsivity running through deviant peer association. Results indicate that lower impulse control/higher impulsivity significantly predicts greater log-odds of vaping at follow-up (Coefficient = .115; p < .003). Greater deviant peer association significantly mediates this relationship (Coefficient = .023; p < .001; 95% confidence interval = .012---.033), accounting for about 15% of the direct effect of impulsivity on vaping. Prevention programming should focus on identifying youth with impulsivity issues and reducing their affiliation with deviant peers.