Hot Executive Functions, Emotional Behavior Problems and Well-Being in Young Vape Users

Abstract

Vaping is becoming quite popular among young adults, raising concerns regarding its impact on their mental health and functioning. New evidence ties nicotine use to interference with emotion regulation and risky decision-making, which are both central to hot executive functions (Buchmann et al., 2021). Deficits in these domains are also related to emotional and behavioral problems and a lower level of psychological well-being (Pentz et al., 2023). This study attempts to explore the relationships between hot executive functions, problems in emotional behavior, and well-being among young vape users. Hot executive functions, emotional-behavioral problems, and well-being were assessed in 500 Pakistani vape users aged between 18 and 27, using a correlational cross-sectional design. The participants completed the ERQ, MCQ, SDQ, and PERMA Profiler. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and Anova were performed. The data show a negative correlation between executive dysfunctions (impulsivity and emotion dysregulation) from a well-being perspective. Moreover, difficulties in emotion regulation were positively correlated with emotional behavior problems, thus producing anxiety and conduct problems. The sample was taken using snowball sampling technique. Informed consent was taken from each participant and proper ethical considerations were followed. Statistical analysis used correlation, regression, ANOVA and descriptive statistics. The findings indicated that hot executive functions (Emotion Regulation, Risky Decision Making) had a positive correlation with well-being and a negative correlation with emotional problems. In the results of regression analyses, hot executive functions significantly predicted emotional problems and well-being. In ANOVA, results showed that emotional behavior problems were different in education and other substance use while well-being differ in gender and early history of substance use. It concluded that there was a poor emotion regulation, particularly when the users suppressed with aggravated distress and lower well-being. The difference appeared in gender, where men were more suppressed and women had more emotional troubles.