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Published on: August 6, 2013
Adolescent smoking trajectories and nicotine dependence
Christina N Lessov-Schlaggar1, Hyman Hops, Janet Brigham
1Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. Christina@matlock.wustl.edu
Summary
Adolescent smoking patterns significantly predict nicotine dependence. Higher adolescent nicotine dependence indicates heavier smoking trajectories, while consistent weekly smoking leads to similar adult nicotine dependence regardless of trajectory.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Health
- Addiction Research
- Public Health
Background:
- Adolescent smoking is a significant public health concern.
- Understanding smoking trajectories and their link to nicotine dependence is crucial for prevention and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To correlate empirically constructed prospective adolescent smoking trajectories with nicotine dependence indicators.
- To examine nicotine dependence in adolescence and adulthood across different smoking patterns.
Main Methods:
- Identified five adolescent smoking trajectory groups: experimenters, late increasers, early increasers, quitters, and persistent smokers.
- Assessed nicotine dependence symptoms in adolescence.
- Evaluated lifetime nicotine dependence in adulthood using the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and the Nicotine Dependence Scale (NDS).
Main Results:
- Higher frequency of nicotine dependence symptoms in adolescence was observed in the quitters and persistent smokers groups.
- Experimenters, late increasers, and early increasers smoked at lower levels with similar nicotine dependence symptoms.
- Lifetime nicotine dependence levels (FTND) were similar across trajectory groups, but NDS levels were higher in all groups except experimenters.
Conclusions:
- Higher adolescent nicotine dependence is associated with heavier smoking trajectories.
- Consistent smoking (more than a few cigarettes per week) throughout adolescence results in similar adult nicotine dependence, irrespective of the specific trajectory group.
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