A Longitudinal Examination of the Relation Between Internalizing Problem Behaviors and Early Adolescent Cigarette Smoking

ABSTRACT

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the longitudinal relation between internalizing problem behaviors (measured with the anxious/depressed and somatic complaints subscales of the Achenbach Teacher's Report Form) and self-reported cigarette smoking behavior and intentions during early adolescence. In addition, a possible mediating role of perceived harm was investigated. Methods: Sixth graders and their teachers were surveyed in the sixth grade and students were surveyed again in the seventh grade. Smoking behavior and intentions were assessed with five items including lifetime use, 30-day use, tobacco user status (nonsmoker to heavy smoker), and two intentions/behavioral expectations items. In addition to perceived harm from smoking, reasons for smoking and reasons for not smoking were included on the survey. Results: As hypothesized, teacher reports of sixth-grade internalizing problem behaviors were negatively related to seventh-grade smoking behavior and intentions. Moreover, perceived harm from smoking was negatively related to smoking and intentions. The hypothesized mediating role of perceived harm in the internalizing to smoking relationship was not supported. Conclusions: Potential differences in the relation between internalizing and smoking across adolescence are discussed. Specifically, the results of the present study and an examination of prior literature suggest that in early adolescence internalizing problems are negatively related to cigarette smoking, whereas in middle and late adolescence the opposite is true.

KEYWORDS:

• Cigarette smoking
• internalizing
• adolescence

Disclosures

Dr. Aloise-Young, Dr. Zaleski, and Dr. Swaim certify that they do not have any conflicts of interest with regard to the research reported in this article. From 2014 to 2016, Dr. Aloise-Young was principal consultant and one of the owners of Carōs Consulting (Fort Collins, CO). From 2014 to 2016, Dr. Swaim received compensation for his work as a consulting psychologist at Harmony Foundation (Estes Park, CO).

Funding

This research was supported by the Colorado Tobacco Research Program grant 1R-0033 to Drs. Swaim and Aloise-Young and by NIDA grant 1K01DA14271-01A1 to Dr. Aloise-Young.