PARENTAL INFLUENCES PREDICT ADOLESCENT SMOKING IN THE UNITED-STATES, 1989-1993

Purpose: To examine parental influences on two transitions in the adol escent smoking uptake process: from never having smoked to experimenta tion and from experimentation to established smoking. Methods: Using d ata from the longitudinal Teenage Attitudes and Practices Survey of 19 89-1993, we related perceived parental concern about their adolescents ' future smoking, parental smoking status, problem-solving communicati on between parent and adolescent, demographics, and other factors at b aseline to experimentation by follow-up among those who had never puff ed on a cigarette (n = 4149). We also related these factors at baselin e to reaching a lifetime level of smoking of at least 100 cigarettes b y follow up among those who had experimented but smoked <100 cigarette s (n = 2684) in univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Among n ever-smelters, baseline susceptibility to smoking and having male best friends who smoke predicted experimentation in the next 4 years. Amon g experimenters, susceptibility to smoking having male or female best friends who smoked, and lack of parental concern about future smoking distinguished those who progressed to established smoking by follow-up . Furthermore, communicating with parents first about serious problems was protective against progression from experimentation to establishe d smoking. Conclusion: Interventions aimed at reducing adolescent smok ing should encourage cessation for parents who smoke and help parents communicate strong antismoking norms to children and adolescents and m aintain strong lines of communication with them. (C) Society for Adole scent Medicine, 1998.