Discrimination and Vaping Among Black and Hispanic Young Adults: Depression as Mechanisms of Influence and the Moderating Role of Family-Like Support.

BACKGROUND: Discrimination is a salient psychosocial stressor linked to both mental health challenges and substance use among racially minoritized populations. However, few studies have examined how perceived discrimination contributes to vaping device use and whether depressive symptoms and familial-like support shape this relationship. The present study tested a moderated mediation model in which depressive symptoms mediate the relationship between perceived discrimination and vaping behaviors, and familial-like support buffers both the direct and indirect pathways.

METHODS: Data were drawn from the 22-year follow-up wave of the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS), comprising 2130 Black and Hispanic young adults (Mage = 22.31, SD = 0.78; 53.4% female).

RESULTS: Perceived discrimination was positively associated with depressive symptoms (B = 0.250, p < 0.001), which were in turn associated with greater odds of ever vaping (B = 0.186, p < 0.001; OR = 1.204). Depressive symptoms fully mediated the discrimination-vaping link (B = 0.046, 95% CI [0.032, 0.063]). Familial-like support was not a significant moderator of either direct or indirect effects.

CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that depressive symptoms are a key mechanism linking discrimination to vaping behaviors among Black and Hispanic young adults. Although familial-like support did not significantly moderate this process, it remains an important interpersonal resource that may foster resilience and emotional well-being. This study advances understanding of psychosocial mechanisms linking discrimination to vaping and underscores the need for culturally responsive interventions targeting racially and ethnically minoritized youth.