Multi-ethnic adolescents' attitudes toward smoking: a focus group analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To explore young, multi-ethnic adolescents' attitudes and influences related to cigarette smoking for the purpose of developing and producing a youth-led, tobacco prevention drama.


METHODS
Focus groups and demographic surveys.


METHODS
Island of Oahu, Hawaii.


METHODS
Fifty-four multi-ethnic youth, ranging in age from 10 to 14 years, participated. The study was promoted in schools with a large representation of Hawaiian, Filipino, and Pacific Islander students.


METHODS
Each of five focus groups was audio-recorded, and an observer recorded extensive notes throughout the sessions. Content analysis consisted of coding focus group notes for recurrent themes and using the audio recording as confirmation.


RESULTS
Just more than one quarter (n = 15) of the youth had tried smoking, and two-thirds (n = 35) currently lived with someone who smoked. Participants expressed the feeling of being surrounded by smoking influences at home, in their communities, and at school. Youth were negatively affected by family members' tobacco use, and they desired skills that could enable them to help family members stop using tobacco.


CONCLUSIONS
Family influences may play an important role in youth attitudes toward tobacco use, especially given the cultural significance of extended family and of filial piety that are reflected in many traditional, Asian and Pacific Islander families. Interventions targeting youth in Asian and Pacific Islander communities should incorporate key cultural references to the extended family and to a respect for elders to establish relevance in the life experiences of young people in these population groups.
Mitschke
Diane B
DB
National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service-Pacific Region, University of Hawaii Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. dianemitschke@uta.edu
Matsunaga
Doris Segal
DS
Loebl
Karen
K
Tatafu
Elitei
E
Robinett
Hali
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D002648:Child; D003469:Culture; D005190:Family / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006254:Hawaii / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044468:Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander / Q000523:psychology*; D010379:Peer Group; D010679:Philippines / Q000208:ethnology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012574:Schools; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D012931:Social Environment