Family functioning and satisfaction: A comparative study between hookah users and non-users

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough there has been an exponential growth in hookah use on a global scale, research within the context of South Africa is very limited. While hookah use is known internationally to be a health and addiction risk, the focus is on university students and not on families.AimThis study aims to compare the family functioning and family satisfaction among hookah users and non-users.SettingThis study was conducted in low or middle-high class socio-economic status areas of Cape Town, South Africa.MethodsA quantitative method was employed to test for significant differences with a sample of 1193 participants, in which each participant represented a family. An independent t-test was used to test for significant differences between hookah users and non-users.ResultsOne-third (34%) of the participants indicated that they smoked hookah pipe, with the general age of onset being 16.5 years. In trying to understand the family context, it was found that 28% of hookah users indicated that the hookah pipe was used as a means of socialising with others in the family, and 24% of parents indicated that they were more accepting of family members smoking the hookah pipe. Findings also suggest that families of hookah users have less cohesion, expressiveness and family satisfaction, and more conflict and permissiveness than families of non-users.ConclusionThis study provides and extends knowledge regarding the family in hookah pipe use. This information could assist in reducing hookah pipe use, and building healthier and more resilient communities by formulating prevention and intervention strategies to reduce hookah use

Peer pressure and social acceptability between hookah pipe users and non-users among a sample of South African adolescents

“…These findings are consistent with previous findings locally and internationally. An SA study conducted by Roman et al [37] indicated that one-third (34%) of the participants indicated that they smoked the hookah pipe, for which the general age of onset was 16.5 years. The majority of the participants in the study by Roman et al [37] started smoking the hookah pipe between the ages of 13 and 15 years.…”

“…An SA study conducted by Roman et al [37] indicated that one-third (34%) of the participants indicated that they smoked the hookah pipe, for which the general age of onset was 16.5 years. The majority of the participants in the study by Roman et al [37] started smoking the hookah pipe between the ages of 13 and 15 years. Internationally, the age of onset for hookah use was reported as 13 years, in a study by Perez et al [38] Regarding the attitudes towards tobacco use of hookah pipe users and non-users, both groups considered that smoking the hookah makes 'people look sexy and tough' .…”