Predicting perceived vulnerability to tobacco-related health risks and future intentions to use tobacco among pediatric cancer survivors.
OBJECTIVE
To examine predictors of perceived vulnerability to tobacco-related health risks and future intentions to use tobacco among pre-adolescents and adolescents previously treated for cancer.


METHODS
Written self-report measures of tobacco knowledge, perceived vulnerability, perceived positive value of tobacco use, past and present tobacco use, and intentions to use tobacco were completed by 103 cancer survivors, 10-18 years of age (51.5% males, 78.6% Caucasians). Patient reports of peer and parent tobacco use were also obtained.


RESULTS
Perceived vulnerability was influenced by demographic variables, knowledge, and gender-related past tobacco use. Fifty-seven percent of non-smoking survivors reported some intention to use tobacco. Survivors who perceived some positive value associated with tobacco use and who used tobacco in the past reported greater intentions for future tobacco use.


CONCLUSIONS
Modifiable cognitive-motivational variables directly associate with smoking-related outcomes among pediatric survivors of childhood cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
Preventive tobacco interventions with this vulnerable cohort are warranted and should inform about tobacco-related health risks and attempt to modify misperceptions of the positive value associated with tobacco use.
Tyc
Vida L
VL
Division of Behavioral Medicine, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 332 N. Lauderdale, Memphis, TN 38105-2794, USA. vida.tyc@stjude.org
Lensing
Shelly
S
Rai
Shesh N
SN
Klosky
James L
JL
Stewart
Deborah B
DB
Gattuso
Jami
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010379:Peer Group; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D012938:Social Perception; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000523:psychology