Smoking-specific cognitions and smoking behaviour among adolescents with asthma

Abstract

Several studies have shown that the prevalence of smoking among adolescents with asthma is similar or even higher than among non-asthmatic adolescents. To design effective interventions, the predictors of smoking among adolescents with asthma need to be identified. This is the first study investigating the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) among adolescents with asthma. An extended TPB model, also including risk perceptions and perceived prevalence of smoking, was tested in a national, cross-sectional sample of 713 adolescents with (self-reported) current asthma and 7140 non-asthmatic controls. No differences in the level of smoking-specific cognitions were found (except for perceived risk of lung affections). However, the effect of having pro-smoking cognitions (e.g. a positive attitude) on smoking was stronger for adolescents with asthma than for non-asthmatic adolescents. Therefore, smoking prevention programs based on the TPB, designed for changing cognitions, could be of extra importance for adolescents with asthma.

Keywords:

• Asthma
• adolescent
• cognition
• tobacco use
• risk factors

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Dr J. Van Den Bercken for valuable comments on our statistical procedures. This research was funded by a grant from the Dutch Asthma Foundation. The contribution of R. Engels was supported by the Netherlands Organisation of Scientific Research.