Integrating Four Theories of Adolescent Smoking

Abstract

The ability of the Theory of Planned Behavior, Social Learning Theory, Social Attachment Theory, and Problem Behavior Theory to predict smoking at Grade 10 was tested against an integrated model incorporating predictors from all the theories. The integrated model also tested whether constructs from each theory contribute distinct variance to the prediction of smoking. Predictors measured at Grade 7 (in 1985) were used to model smoking 3 years later (in 1988) among 4186 youth, using logistic regression. Constructs emphasized by each theory were important, independent predictors of later smoking. The integrated model was superior to all of the theory-based models. A few predictors varied for current vs. frequent smoking outcomes. Results emphasize the need for a multifaceted approach to understanding and preventing adolescent smoking.

• Smoking
• Adolescent
• Risk behavior
• Cigarettes
• Protective factors

Resumen

La habilidad de la Theory of Planned Behavior, Social Learning Theory, Social Attachment Theory, and Problem Behavior Theory para predecir el fumar en el décimo grado fue comprobada contra un modelo integrado que incorpora predictores de todas las teorías. El modelo integrado también pone a prueba si los constructos de cada teoría contribuyen con variación distinta a la predicción del fumar. Utilizando regresión logística, los predictores medidos en el séptimo grado se utilizaron para modelar el fumar entre 4186 jóvenes tres años más tarde. El modelo integrado fue superior a todos los modelos basados en las teorías. Se encontró variación para algunos de los predictores en cuanto a los resultados de si fuman actualmente vs. el fumar frecuentemente. Los resultados enfatizan la necesidad de utilizar un planteamiento multi-facético para entender y prevenir el fumar entre los adolescentes.

Résumé

Nous testons la capacite de diverses theories des comportments humains (Theories of Planned Behavior, Social Learning, Social Attachment, and Problem Behavior) pour predire le tabagisme des jeunes de 15 a 16 ans contre un modele de prediction qui incorpore les facteurs de toutes ces theories. Ce model inclusif est aussi teste pour identifier si chaque theorie fait une contribution unique pour predire le tabagisme. Des facteurs mesures a l'age de 12 a 13 ans sont utilises pour predire le tabagisme trois plus tard dans un groupe de 4186 jeunes utilisant un modele logistique. Des facteurs appartenant a chacune des theories testees sont trouves etre des predicteurs importants et independents du tabagisme. Le modele inclusif est superieur a tous les models bases sur une theorie particuliere. L'importance de quelques facteurs differe entre tabagisme du present et tabagisme frequent. Nos resultats soulignent le besoin d'utiliser des approaches multiples pour comprendre et prevenir le tabagisme dans la jeunesse.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rebecca L. Collins

Rebecca L. Collins (Ph.D., Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles) is a Senior Behavioral Scientist and directs the Social and Behavioral Sciences in Health program at RAND. Her primary interests are in predicting health risk behavior, particularly sexual risk behavior and substance-use prevention. She also studies media effects on adolescent health behavior.

Phyllis L. Ellickson

Phyllis Ellickson (Ph.D., Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology) is a Senior Behavioral Scientist and Director of the Center for Research on Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health at RAND. She studies adolescent health, substance abuse prevention, adolescent/young adult violence, HIV risk, and use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs and the effects of advertising on alcohol use.