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Smoking Risk Factors and Gender Differences Among Spanish High School Students

NCJ Number
232907
Journal
Journal of Drug Education Volume: 40 Issue: 2 Dated: 2010 Pages: 143-156
Author(s)
Olaya Garcia-Rodriguez, Ph.D.; Rosa Suarez-Vazquez, M.A.; Roberto Secades-Villa, Ph.D.; Jose R. Fernandez-Hermida, Ph.D.
Date Published
2010
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study sought to determine risk and protective factors to cigarette use among Spanish adolescents and to analyze possible gender differences in the pattern of use and in the specific risk factors.
Abstract
The objectives of the present study were to analyze the pattern of tobacco use among Spanish adolescents, as well as to determine gender differences in specific risk factors of cigarette use. The study sample was made up of 1,483 boys and 1,358 girls, aged 12-16 (M = 14). Participants were asked to answer an ad-hoc instrument to evaluate the pattern of use, perceived availability, risk of harm, family- and peer-use, engagement in leisure activities, drive for thinness, and self-esteem. Results showed no gender differences in the pattern of use. With regard to risk and protector factors, a predictive analysis showed that peer-related variables were the most determinant for tobacco use both for boys and girls. Some gender differences were also detected: Playing sports was protective for boys only, and listening to music for girls only. Drive for thinness and self-esteem were not related to tobacco use for either boys or girls. These findings help increase our understanding of smoking risk factors in adolescence and to pay special attention to the group of friends when planning prevention programs to reduce risk factors. (Published Abstract) Tables and references