Smoker identity and smoking escalation among adolescents
Andrew W Hertel1, Robin J Mermelstein
1Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 60608, USA. hertel@uic.edu
Objective:
We investigated whether there is a positive, unique relation between smoker identity and smoking escalation.
Methods:
Adolescents from the Chicago area (n = 1263) completed paper-and-pencil questionnaires and in-person interviews at baseline, 6 months, 15 months, and 24 months of a longitudinal study. Smoking behavior, smoker identity, nicotine dependence, smoking expectancies, smoking motives, and novelty seeking were assessed.
Results:
There was a unique relation between smoker identity and smoking escalation. The more that adolescents thought smoking was a defining aspect of who they were, the more likely their smoking escalated.
Conclusions:
The findings suggest that smoker identity could be targeted for preventing escalation. Research on its development is needed.
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