Prospective associations between negative life events and youth tobacco use

To examine the prospective associations between commonly-occurring negative life events (NLEs) and adolescent tobacco use.

NLEs were examined prospectively over 4 years from 1111 adolescents (mean age = 15.17 years). Family structure and parent education were assessed as confounders. Fourteen NLEs were examined and categorized into none, one, 2, or 3 or more events.

Prospective analyses indicated that NLEs were significantly associated with tobacco use in the following wave. NLEs assessed at each wave were significantly associated with tobacco use the next year. Family structure and parent education did not influence the relationship between tobacco use and NLEs.

Interventions to prevent tobacco use should focus on youth with a recent history of NLEs, regardless of family education and family structure.