Social disaffection, friendship patterns and adolescent cigarette use: the Muscatine Study

J Sch Health. 1986 Apr;56(4):146-50. doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.1986.tb05723.x.

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine if adolescent social disaffection with school and family not only would be a significant predictor of cigarette use but would explain a significant amount of the association with friends who smoke. Eleven hundred and eighty ninth-12th grade students in Muscatine, Iowa, were surveyed in Spring 1984. Multiple regression analyses indicated several social disaffection variables were significant predictors of association with friends who smoke, explaining 20% of the variance. The combination of association with friends who smoke and social disaffection variables explained 48% of the variance in adolescent cigarette smoking. Variables related to adolescents' participation in school and related activities suggest prevention programs should recognize the impact of social disaffection on adolescents cigarette use.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior*
  • Attitude
  • Family
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iowa
  • Male
  • Peer Group*
  • Schools
  • Smoking*
  • Social Adjustment
  • Social Alienation*