title: The perceived causal structures of smoking: Smoker and non-smoker comparisons.
abstract: Despite the detrimental impact of smoking on health, its prevalence remains high. Empirical research has provided insight into the many causes and effects of smoking, yet lay perceptions of smoking remain relatively understudied. This study used a form of network analysis to gain insight into the causal attributions for smoking of both smoking and non-smoking college students. The analyses resulted in highly endorsed, complex network diagrams that conveyed the perceived causal structures of smoking. Differences in smoker and non-smoker networks emerged with smokers attributing less negative consequences to smoking behaviors. Implications for intervention are discussed.
authors.affiliation: The Pennsylvania State University, USA dml344@psu.edu.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Lydon
authors.affiliation: The Pennsylvania State University, USA.
authors.forename: Matt C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.affiliation: The Pennsylvania State University, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: The Pennsylvania State University, USA.
authors.forename: Charles F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Geier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012016:Reference Values; D000074285:Smokers / Q000523:psychology*; D012938:Social Perception; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: beliefs; cause; health behavior; nicotine dependence; perception