Primed for positive perceptions? Applying the acquired preparedness model to explain college students' e-cigarette use and dependence.

College students use electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) more often than any other US demographic group. In a novel application of the acquired preparedness model, we examined how proximal (e.g., cognitions) and distal (e.g., dispositional) influences accounted for ENDS use and dependence. Undergraduates (N = 1075; 72% female, 74% White) from seven US campuses completed an online survey between October 2019-March 2020. We modeled ENDS use and dependence, respectively, as zero-inflated Poisson distributions with impulsivity as an independent variable and perceived risks and benefits of e-cigarettes as mediators. Students higher in impulsivity perceived more benefits and, in turn, reported greater ENDS use and dependence. Curiosity and friends' use motivated ENDS initiation; stress management and nicotine motivated continued use. ENDS interventions should be tailored to students higher in impulsivity, as they hold more favorable perceptions of ENDS, and should enhance skills to manage stress and nicotine cravings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]