Adolescents' use of tobacco, health locus of control, and self-monitoring.
This study examined the association of the traits, health locus of control, and self-monitoring with adolescents' tobacco uptake. Participants were 112 rural adolescents (12 to 19 years old, M = 15.3). Of that sample, 33% used tobacco. Tobacco users were found to score lower on the dimension of Internality and higher on the dimension of Chance, as compared with nonusers of tobacco, indicating a more external Health Locus of Control. In addition, tobacco users were lower self-monitors than were nonusers. These results suggest that adolescents who use tobacco feel less in control of their lives in relation to nonusers, believe that chance plays a larger role in their health, and believe they may be unable to monitor and adapt their communication to achieve positive outcomes.
Booth-Butterfield
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Department of Communication Studies, West Virginia University, Morgantown 26506, USA. mboothbu@wvu.edu
Anderson
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RH
Booth-Butterfield
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S
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D012424:Rural Population; D012649:Self Concept; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D014903:West Virginia / Q000453:epidemiology