title: Gender differences in use and expectancies of e-cigarettes: Online survey results.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Given the rapid increase in e-cigarette use, it is important to understand factors that may contribute to their initiation and maintenance. Because gender differences in tobacco use, product preferences, and expectancies are well established, similar gender differences may exist with e-cigarettes. The aim of this study was to identify gender differences among e-cigarette users in patterns of use, reasons for initiation and maintenance, and outcome expectancies regarding e-cigarettes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (N=1815) completed an online survey from August through November, 2013. We assessed sociodemographics, smoking and e-cigarette history and use, and expectancies about e-cigarettes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found gender differences in type of e-cigarette used, flavors used, nicotine dosage, source of information about e-cigarettes, place of purchase, and use of e-cigarettes where smoking is prohibited. In addition, males were more likely to report initiating e-cigarette use to quit smoking due to health concerns, whereas females were more likely to report initiation based on recommendations from family and friends. Males reported higher attributions for maintenance of e-cigarette use related to positive reinforcement (enjoyment), whereas females reported higher negative reinforcement attributions (stress reduction or mood management). Males reported more positive expectancies about e-cigarettes, including taste, social facilitation, and energy, whereas women rated e-cigarettes higher for weight control. Males also reported greater addiction-related e-cigarette expectancy than females.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many of the gender differences with e-cigarettes parallel those previously found with traditional cigarette smoking. Although effect sizes associated with these differences were small, the results may help advance research and intervention development with respect to e-cigarette initiation, maintenance and cessation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA; Department of Clinical Psychology & Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Electronic address: barbara.pineiro@moffitt.org.
authors.forename: Bárbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Piñeiro
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA; Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: John B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Correa
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA; Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA; Department of Oncologic Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Vani N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Simmons
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Paul T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Harrell
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA; Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Nicole S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Menzie
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA; Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Unrod
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Lauren R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Meltzer
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA; Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA; Department of Oncologic Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Brandon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cigarettes; Electronic cigarettes; Expectancies; Gender differences; Online survey