Self-efficacy and emotional adjustment as precursors of smoking in early adolescence.
The aim of this study was to examine the associations between self-efficacy, emotional adjustment, and smoking in a large sample of early adolescents cross-sectionally and short-term longitudinally. A prospective sample was used consisting of 1861 12-13-year-olds at 11 secondary schools. Questionnaires were administered at baseline and at a follow-up 6 months after the baseline assessment. Findings showed that higher depressive mood, low self-esteem, and low self-efficacy appeared to be related to enhanced levels of smoking in cross-sectional analyses. Short-term longitudinal analyses indicated that depressive mood and self-esteem were only related to the onset of smoking in girls. In three out of four cross-sectional analyses, self-efficacy x emotional adjustment interactions revealed that in particular adolescents with low levels of self-efficacy and low levels of emotional adjustment are likely to smoke.
Engels
Rutger C M E
RC
Institute for Family and Child Care Studies, Radboud University, The Netherlands. r.engels@bsi.ru.nl
Hale
William W
WW
Noom
Marc
M
De Vries
Hein
H
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000339:Affect; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires