Examination of a Process Model of Adolescent Smoking Self-Change Efforts in Relation to Gender

• NCJ Number: 229501
• Journal: Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 19 Issue: 1 Dated: January-March 2010 Pages: 48-65
• Author(s): Laura MacPherson; Mark G. Myers
• Date Published: January 2010
• Length: 18 pages
• Grant Number(s): T32 AA13525; 10IT-0280
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services; Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the role of gender in the relationship of motivation and cognitive variables with adolescent smoking self-quit attempts.

Abstract

Little information describes how adolescents change their smoking behavior. This study investigated the role of gender in the relationship of motivation and cognitive variables with adolescent smoking self-change efforts. Self-report and semi-structured interview data from a prospective study of smoking self-change efforts were examined among 98 adolescent smokers ages 14 to 18 (55 percent female). Social disapproval motives and short-term consequence reasons for quitting, quit self-efficacy, and intentions to quit were modeled in relation to prospective self-quit attempts assessed at a six-month follow-up, separately by gender. Hypothesized mediating relationships were not supported although gender differences were noted. Social influence motives related to intention to quit and prospective self-quit attempts among girls. For boys, intention to quit predicted making a self-quit attempt. Findings emphasize the importance of examining adolescent models separately by gender and contribute to understanding of mechanisms involved in adolescent smoking change efforts. Figures, tables, and references (Published Abstract)