Southern adolescents: a survey of attitudes and beliefs about smoking.
Using data collected by the National Center for Health Statistics, we examined the relationships between smoking-related beliefs and attitudes and smoking status for a sample of adolescents (N = 3,198) from southern states. Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify the best predictors of smoking prevalence. Results indicated that 8 of 13 variables in the logistic model significantly differentiated between smokers and nonsmokers. Smokers were more likely to believe that it is safe to smoke for only a year or 2 and that smoking helps reduce stress and boredom while promoting relaxation. Smokers also reported a higher tolerance than nonsmokers for being around other smokers, and reported their parents would not mind their smoking. The logistic model attained a predictive accuracy of 93.2%. The implication of these findings is that if smoking interventions targeted at adolescents address smoking-related beliefs and attitudes, there is an enhanced likelihood that such interventions will positively influence the smoking behavior of southern adolescents.
Health Studies Program, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa.
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Wang
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Cowdery
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Trucks
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Fitzhugh
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001290:Attitude; D002648:Child; D003691:Delaware; D004219:District of Columbia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D015144:Southeastern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D013781:Texas