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Gender differences in the association between perceived discrimination and adolescent smoking
Sarah E Wiehe1, Matthew C Aalsma, Gilbert C Liu
1Children's Health Services Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. lstultz@iupui.edu
American Journal of Public Health
|January 16, 2010
Summary
Racial/ethnic discrimination impacts adolescent smoking differently by gender. Boys showed increased smoking, while girls showed decreased smoking, suggesting gender-specific responses to discrimination.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Racial and ethnic discrimination are significant stressors for adolescents.
- Understanding the interplay between discrimination, gender, and health behaviors like smoking is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the associations between perceived racial/ethnic discrimination, gender, and cigarette smoking among adolescents.
- To investigate gender-specific patterns in the relationship between discrimination and adolescent smoking.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the Moving to Opportunity study, including 2561 Black and Latino adolescents aged 12-19.
- Assessment of perceived discrimination via survey items on unfair treatment due to race/ethnicity.
- Logistic regression analysis stratified by gender, controlling for covariates.
Main Results:
- One-fourth of adolescents reported experiencing discrimination.
- Discrimination was linked to increased smoking odds in boys (OR=1.9) and decreased odds in girls (OR=0.6).
- Specific locations of discrimination showed varied associations: school/work for girls, shops/police for boys.
Conclusions:
- The association between discrimination and adolescent smoking is gender-dependent.
- Girls' reduced smoking in high-discrimination settings may involve protective factors.
- Boys' increased smoking may stem from stress related to police and business discrimination.
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