Js. Rose et al., DEMOGRAPHIC-FACTORS IN ADULT SMOKING STATUS - MEDIATING AND MODERATING INFLUENCES, Psychology of addictive behaviors, 10(1), 1996, pp. 28-37
In the current study mediators and moderators of demographic factors i
n smoking behavior were examined. Those with low education levels were
more likely to smoke, believed less in the negative health effects of
smoking, believed more in the positive psychological benefits of smok
ing, had lower value on a healthy lifestyle, and had more friends who
smoked. Although all of these factors significantly mediated education
effects on smoking, number bf friends who smoke was the most powerful
of these mediators. There were no gender differences in smoking rates
. However, compared with men, smoking among women was more strongly re
lated to perceived psychological benefits of smoking, number of friend
s who smoke, and health beliefs about smoking. Implications for target
ing intervention at less educated individuals and women are discussed.