Peers and adolescent smoking

Abstract

There is a considerable body of empirical research that has identified adolescent peer relationships as a primary factor involved in adolescent cigarette smoking. Despite this large research base, many questions remain unanswered about the mechanisms by which peers affect youths' smoking behavior. Understanding these processes of influence is key to the development of prevention and intervention programs designed to address adolescent smoking as a significant public health concern. In this paper, theoretical frameworks and empirical findings are reviewed critically which inform the current state of knowledge regarding peer influences on teenage smoking. Specifically, social learning theory, primary socialization theory, social identity theory and social network theory are discussed. Empirical findings regarding peer influence and selection, as well as multiple reference points in adolescent friendships, including best friendships, romantic relationships, peer groups and social crowds, are also reviewed. Review of this work reveals the contribution that peers have in adolescents' use of tobacco, in some cases promoting use, and in other cases deterring it. This review also suggests that peer influences on smoking are more subtle than commonly thought and need to be examined more carefully, including consideration of larger social contexts, e.g. the family, neighborhood, and media. Recommendations for future investigations are made, as well as suggestions for specific methodological approaches that offer promise for advancing our knowledge of the contribution of peers on adolescent tobacco use.

Smoking Stage Relations to Peer, School and Parental Factors among Secondary School Students in Kinta, Perak

“…Similar to some studies (Kobus, 2003;, we also found that having a best friend who smokes and high peer pressure to smoke both increase the odds of being a susceptible never smokers and ever smokers. We were not surprised to find high peer pressure to smoke had the strongest effect on current smokers as studies have shown adolescents' reports of their peers' tobacco use to mirror their own smoking habits (Silva et al, 2008).…”

“…The weaker role of parental smoking in our study compared to the positive association of best friends smoking status with all four smoking stages is consistent with another study that found modeling best friends' tobacco use to be stronger than parental modeling (Chassin et al, 1998;Sen et al, 2000).We found siblings smoking status and having a higher number of relatives who smoked to be associated with the different smoking stages. This association can mostly be explained by Social learning theory (Bandura, 1977) which emphasizes that adolescent learn and model behavior by observing those in their immediate environment and whom they have more contact with (Urberg et al, 1997;Kobus, 2003).…”

A social network analysis of substance use among immigrant adolescents in six European cities

“…It is now well acknowledged that adolescents tend to adopt health behaviours that are similar to their friends' behaviours, and this has been shown in a range of domains such as substance use, nutrition, and sexual activity (Ajilore, 2015;Clark & Loheac, 2007;Ennett et al, 2006;Kobus, 2003;McGloin et al, 2014;Simons-Morton & Farhat, 2010; T. W. Valente et al, 2004). Moreover, exposure to substance use is associated with the structural position of an adolescent in the network.…”

Exposure to Smoking in Popular Contemporary Movies and Youth Smoking in Germany

“…Adolescents initiate smoking for social reasons, 3 and the social risk factors include influences such as parent 4-7 and friend smoking. 7,8 Correspondence and reprint requests: Reiner Hanewinkel, PhD, Institute for Therapy and Health Research, IFT-Nord, Düsternbrooker Weg 2, 24105 Kiel, Germany, Phone: +49 431 570 ; Fax: +49 431 570 29-29; E-mail: hanewinkel@ift-nord.de Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript.…”