E-cigarette use is widely prevalent among young adults. However, there is not much known about the social consequences of nicotine in this age-group. This two-part interdisciplinary project (a) delivered a psychosocial survey focused on vaping behaviors and mental health that was administered to 173 WPI undergraduates and (b). measured social behavioral responses to nicotine exposure in a model organism, C. elegans. Key findings across both studies include the following: 35% of respondents reported they vaped with some degree of regularity. Vaping appears to be a social activity among WPI students and less-so related to psychological mood states. However, younger vapers tended to have higher depressive symptoms. C. elegans exhibit avoidance behavior to increasing concentrations of nicotine. This project emphasized that although vaping is a social activity, there are behavioral consequences at the biological level.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Kirschner, Mira

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 121469
• E-project-042424-105719

Keyword

• Nicotine
• Social behavior
• C. elegans
• Vaping
• Psychosocial

Advisor

• Rodriguez, Angela C Incollingo
• Srinivasan, Jagan

Year

• 2024

Date created

• 2024-04-24

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Psychological Science

Source

• E-project-042424-105719

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2024-05-28