Race/ethnicity, smoking status, and self-generated expected outcomes from smoking among adolescents.
Racial/ethnic differences in adolescent smoking suggest that different factors may motivate smoking among various racial/ethnic groups. This study examined relations among race/ethnicity, self-generated smoking outcome expectancies, and smoking status. Our findings noted that current smoking was highest among Hispanics, whereas African Americans and Asians were least likely to ever smoke. African Americans were most likely to experiment but least likely to smoke currently. Five expectancies differed significantly by race/ethnicity: reduce tension, image, negative aesthetics, addiction, and cost. However, none were significant mediators or moderators. Racial/ethnic groups most susceptible to smoking initiation and with the highest rates of current smoking should be targeted for prevention and cessation. Research is needed to examine more thoroughly racial/ethnic differences in expectancies.
Irvin Vidrine
Jennifer
J
Department of Health Disparities Research, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77230-1439, USA. jirvinvidrine@mdanderson.org
Anderson
Cheryl B
CB
Pollak
Kathryn I
KI
Wetter
David W
DW
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D001741:Black or African American; D001213:Asian; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012907:Smoking / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D044465:White People