Tabassum presenting at a poster session at SRNT

Author: Mufazzela Tabassum | Major: Public Health | Semester: Spring 2024

Last semester, I had the privilege of being a part of the Health Equity and Addictions Lab, where we conducted a research project titled “When Emotions Run High, E-Cigarette Use Increases: A Mixed Methods Study of Daily vs. Non-Daily Users” under the direction of my mentor Dr. Page Dobbs. Our aim was to explore how experiencing negative emotions impacts dependency for both daily and non-daily users of e-cigarettes. Utilizing a sample of students from the University of Arkansas, we administered surveys followed by in-depth Zoom interviews with a smaller subgroup of participants. These interviews delved into their beliefs about negative emotions, their coping strategies for difficult emotions, and whether they turn to e-cigarettes as a means of emotional regulation.

Over spring break, I had the incredible opportunity to present the findings of this research at the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, on behalf of the Health, Equity, and Addictions Lab. It was an honor to participate in an international conference alongside some of the world’s leading experts on tobacco and nicotine research. This experience significantly advanced my understanding of the emotional and mental health impacts of e-cigarette use, as I engaged in insightful discussions with esteemed researchers. Furthermore, networking with professionals from various institutions worldwide expanded my perspective and enhanced my research experiences. For example, I was able to attend several podium presentations by select speaker from renowned institutions. Many of these researchers highlighted how the tobacco and e-cigarette industry is continually evolving, adapting its landscape of products to circumvent regulation.

During the conference, I had the privilege of disseminating our research findings through a poster session. This was a particularly meaningful aspect of my experience as it challenged me to effectively communicate scientific research in a more accessible manner. Engaging in in-depth discussions, particularly regarding our qualitative data, was enlightening. Notably, our qualitative analysis revealed that participants reported engaging in adaptive coping mechanisms such as going for walks or seeking fresh air when dealing with negative emotions. However, when specifically asked about their use of e-cigarettes for emotional regulation, many admitted to doing so. This intriguing finding sparked meaningful discussions surrounding the conscious use of e-cigarettes as a means of emotional regulation.

My personal advice to students aspiring to engage in research and present their findings at conferences is to carefully select a mentor whose research interests align with their own. In my experience, I found immense satisfaction in analyzing qualitative data within the field of public health. Dr. Dobbs, whose research focuses on addiction, employs a comprehensive approach that encompasses both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. This mixed-methods approach allowed me to leverage my strengths in qualitative analysis while also gaining valuable insights into interpreting quantitative data in the context of public health research.

I am excited to apply the knowledge I have gained from this experience to my next project. In this upcoming endeavor, I will be analyzing social media data from TikTok with the aim of identifying emerging trends in e-cigarette products. My goal is to gain deeper insights into evolving consumer behaviors and preferences within this rapidly changing landscape.