The Effectiveness of a Looming Vulnerability Intervention in Reducing Vaping Behavior and Intention in Young Adults (aged 18 – 25)
Abstract
A dynamic threat intervention grounded in Looming Vulnerability (LV) theory was used to examine whether inducing anxiety about vaping's health risks could influence vaping behaviour. Sixty-nine Canadian vapers of two different profiles (occasional vs frequent) were randomized into two groups: an experimental group (n=36) listened to an anxiety-inducing imagery script, while a control group (n=33) heard a script designed to elicit excitement. Measures collected were anxiety, perceived vulnerability (PV), perceived severity (PS) and vaping intention (VI) and behaviour (VB). Data from baseline, immediately post intervention and at a 2-week follow up were analyzed. Results showed a time by group by profile interaction for PS and VI, and a time by group effect for PV and vaping frequency (VB). This evidence suggests that an intervention grounded in LV can be utilized to enhance PV and PS as well as reduce VB among young adult vapers.