PREDICTORS OF MISREPORTING CIGARETTE-SMOKING INITIATION AMONG ADOLESCENTS

This study examines the prevalence of invalid reports of cigarette smo king initiation among adolescents(i.e., reporting cigarette smoking at one time point and denying ever trying cigarettes at a subsequent tim e point) and the association of misreports with scores on other proble m-prone variables. Misreports did not vary as a function of item compl exity and did not reflect careless responding In the seventh grade, mi sreporters' scores on the problem-prone variables were higher than tho se of nonsmokers and lower than those of smokers. In contrast, when me asured in the eighth grade, misreporters' scores did not differ from t hose of nonsmokers. Misreporters did show a greater decrease in intent ions to smoke, alcohol use, and number of friends who smoke compared t o nonsmokers and consistent smokers. Explanations for these findings a re discussed.