Gender Differences in the Correlates of Current E-cigarette Use Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual (LGB) College Students in China

Despite lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults have elevated risk for e-cigarette use compared with heterosexual ones, there is a dearth of evidence about mechanisms by which they acquire elevated risk in China. The study explores correlates and within-gender differences towards current e-cigarette use among LGB college students. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify correlates of current e-cigarette use. Additionally, we examined differences between males and females in these correlates. Of 1635 participants self-identified as LGB, approximately 3.2% were current e-cigarette users with no significant difference between males (2.3%) and females (4.5%). Depression and perceived friends' support may increase likelihood of current e-cigarette use in LGB females, whereas that of males may be linked with violence-related stress and be protected by family's support. Prevention and intervention programs tailored for this subpopulation should consider gender differences in sexual minority-specific and psychosocial factors.