Predictors of the transition from experimental to daily smoking among adolescents in the United States.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined factors affecting the transition from experimental smoking at baseline to two types of daily smoking, temporary daily smoking, and continued daily smoking, at 1-year follow-up.


METHODS
This study analyzed data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (n = 4,903 U.S. adolescents). Baseline predictors were selected based on Problem Behavior Theory.


RESULTS
Important problem behavior theory-related predictors of smoking were the number of friends who smoke, academic performance, and alcohol, marijuana, and other illicit drug use. Other significant predictors were age, gender, race, depression, perceived general health, and cigarette availability at home.


CONCLUSIONS
To prevent teens from progressing to daily smoking, nursing professionals should consider multifaceted factors based on multiple theories.
Kyunghee University College of Nursing Science, Seoul, South Korea. spark@khu.ac.kr
Sunhee
S
Park
Terri E
TE
Weaver
Daniel
D
Romer
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology