Causes of adolescent cigarette smoking: tests of a structural equation model.

A structural equation model of the causes of adolescent cigarette smoking is presented. This model is derived from a general paradigm or "meta-theory" which proposes that the social environment influences behavior directly and through the mediation of beliefs about the consequences of behavior; these two factors are predicted to interact with personality in causing behavior. Five social environmental variables, four belieffactors, and three personality characteristics were analyzed in several large surveys of young adolescents. Siblings' smoking, friends' smoking, and enjoyment beliefs were found to affect cigarette smoking; a portion of the friends' smoking effect was mediated by enjoyment beliefs. The influence offriends upon beliefs and behavior was found to be partially dependent upon the adolescent's tendencies toward rebelliousness and disobedience. Implications are drawn for social psychological theory and public health action.

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