A model of smoking among inner-city adolescents: The role of personal competence and perceived social benefits of smoking

Background: Based on current trends, smoking will remain a major public hea lth problem in the 21st century. Effective smoking prevention approaches of fer the best hope for decreasing the rise in adolescent smoking rates. Comp etence enhancement approaches to smoking prevention are among the most succ essful. Yet, there is not a full understanding of how effective prevention approaches work. This study tests whether a deficiency in competence (poor decision-making skills and low personal efficacy) is linked to acquiring be liefs in the perceived benefits of smoking and whether these perceived bene fits are then related to subsequent smoking. Methods: A sample of 1459 students attending 22 middle and junior high scho ols in New York City participated. Students completed surveys at baseline, 1-year follow-up and 2-year follow-up during a regular class period. They s elf-reported smoking, decision-making skills, personal efficacy and beliefs in the perceived benefits of smoking, Results: The tested structural equation model had a good fit and was parsim onious and consistent with the theory underlying the competence approach to smoking prevention. Conclusions: This research highlights the importance of addressing decision -making skills, personal efficacy, and beliefs in the social benefits of sm oking within adolescent smoking prevention programs. (C) 2000 American Heal th Foundation and Academic Press.