Smoker Identity and Smoking Escalation Among Adolescents

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 longi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health psychology 2012-07, Vol.31 (4), p.467-475
Main Authors: Hertel, Andrew W, Mermelstein, Robin J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Addictive behaviors
Adolescent
Adolescents
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Biological and medical sciences
Chicago
Drug Dependency
Expectations
Female
Human
Humans
Identity
Male
Medical sciences
Motivation
Nicotine
Novelty seeking
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Psychosocial Factors
Self Concept
Sensation Seeking
Smoking
Smoking - psychology
Surveys and Questionnaires
Tobacco Smoking
Tobacco Use Disorder
Tobacco, tobacco smoking
Toxicology
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0278-6133
1930-7810
DOI:10.1037/a0028923