Related Experiment Videos
Could the peer group explain school differences in pupil smoking rates? An exploratory study
Katrina Turner1, Patrick West, Jacki Gordon
1Community-based Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, England BS6 6JL, UK. katrina.turner@bristol.ac.uk
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|December 21, 2005
Summary
School environments significantly impact adolescent smoking rates. Popularity of smokers and peer group dynamics, especially among non-smoking females, influence these differences.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
- Sociology
Background:
- School smoking rates vary, independent of student intake.
- Adolescent smoking is linked to peer behavior, but school-level peer structures are understudied.
- Understanding school-specific factors is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of peer group structures in explaining school-level differences in adolescent smoking.
- To explore how social dynamics within schools influence smoking prevalence.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed 13 and 15-year-olds in two Scottish schools with differing smoking rates.
- Collected sociometric data, smoking behavior, and attitudes.
- Conducted 25 single-sex discussion groups with 13-year-olds.
Main Results:
- Higher smoking school: pupils in groups, popular smokers, more pro-smoking attitudes (non-smoking females).
- Lower smoking school: more isolates/dyads, no popular smokers, less pro-smoking attitudes (non-smoking females).
- Peer group structures and popularity of smokers correlate with school smoking rates.
Conclusions:
- Peer group structures and social influences may explain school differences in adolescent smoking.
- The popularity of smokers and attitudes of non-smoking females are key factors.
- Findings suggest interventions should consider social dynamics within schools.