Dating and changes in adolescent cigarette smoking: does partner smoking behavior matter?
Robin J Mermelstein1, Peter J Colvin, Sven D Klingemann
1Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1747 West Roosevelt Road, Room 558, Chicago, IL 60608, USA. robinm@uic.edu
Summary
Dating a smoker significantly increases adolescent smoking risk, particularly for boys. However, dating a nonsmoker shows a protective effect for boys against smoking initiation and continuation.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent health behaviors
- Social influences on health
Background:
- Adolescent relationships influence health behaviors.
- Dating is a known risk factor for adolescent tobacco use.
Purpose of the Study:
- Examine if a partner's smoking status moderates the link between dating and adolescent smoking.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 1,263 9th and 10th graders.
- Assessed dating status, partner's smoking, and adolescent smoking at baseline and 15 months.
Main Results:
- Dating a smoker increased adolescent smoking odds; this was pronounced in boys.
- Boys dating smokers were all smokers.
- Boys dating nonsmokers showed a protective effect against smoking compared to dating smokers or no partner.
Conclusions:
- Partner's smoking status is crucial in understanding adolescent dating and smoking dynamics.
- Interventions should consider the influence of romantic partners on adolescent smoking behaviors.
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