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Peers, schools, and adolescent cigarette smoking
C Alexander1, M Piazza, D Mekos
1Department of Population and Family Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205-1901, USA.
Summary
Peer influence significantly impacts adolescent smoking. Having friends who smoke and attending schools with high smoking rates increases teen smoking risk. Popularity also plays a role, especially in high-smoking schools.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
- Social Epidemiology
Background:
- Adolescent smoking remains a significant public health concern.
- Peer influence is a well-established factor in adolescent behavior, including smoking.
- Understanding the interplay of social factors and school environment is crucial for prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine how peer network smoking, best friend smoking, and popularity influence current smoking among adolescents.
- To investigate these influences within schools exhibiting diverse smoking prevalence rates.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) with 2525 adolescents (Grades 7-12).
- Employed peer nominations to assess best friend smoking and peer network smoking exposure.
- Used multiple regression to analyze the risk of current smoking based on popularity, peer smoking, and school smoking prevalence.
Main Results:
- Adolescents in peer networks where at least half smoked had nearly double the risk (OR=1.91).
- Having one or two best friends who smoked increased smoking risk twofold (OR=2.00).
- Higher school smoking prevalence was associated with increased adolescent smoking risk (OR=1.73).
Conclusions:
- School environments are critical contexts for peer group influences on adolescent smoking.
- Interventions targeting peer networks and school-level smoking rates may be effective.
- Popularity interacts with school smoking prevalence, suggesting tailored approaches for popular students.