Elsevier

Journal of Adolescence

Volume 22, Issue 5, October 1999, Pages 647-655
Journal of Adolescence

Regular Article
Starting smoking: girls' explanations of the influence of peers

https://doi.org/10.1006/jado.1999.0260Get rights and content

Abstract

A questionnaire survey of cigarette smoking completed in six secondary schools by 4773 pupils aged 11–16 years included five items concerning the circumstances of smoking initiation: (1) age at first cigarette; (2) source of supply; (3) location of first smoke; (4) persons present; and (5) perceived degree of coercion. Although there was a highly significant gender difference on the item concerning age at first cigarette, with the average for boys lower than that for girls, the remaining items showed no gender effects. In order to explore further the reasons for the observed higher prevalence of cigarette smoking among teenage girls compared to boys, 33 focus groups were undertaken with girls in Years 7 and 9. These qualitative data provide evidence of the social representations of different groups and of smoking and non-smoking identities. Any understanding of smoking among girls needs to take account the dynamics of girls' membership in groups of never, experimental and regular smokers in determining subsequent smoking behaviour.

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    Relevant to Brown et al.'s (2008) formulation are qualitative studies in which adolescents have been asked to give their views about peer pressure, either in interview or focus group formats. Arnett (2007) describes qualitative work on the topic of smoking initiation (e.g., Alexander, Allen, Crawford, & McCormick, 1999; Denscombe, 2001; Lucas & Lloyd, 1999), and other examples addressing the perceived influence of peers are Ungar's (2000) study with high-risk adolescents, Carter, Bennetts, and Carter's (2003) research with students in an Australian school, and Lightfoot's (1997) analysis of adolescent risk taking. Adolescents' reactions to questions about peer pressure in these studies is summed up by a teenager in Lightfoot's (1997) study: “… the idea of peer pressure is a lot of bunk” (p. 36).

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Reprint requests and correspondence should be addressed to Dr Kevin Lucas, East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority, 36–38 Friar's Walk, Lewes, BN7 2PB, U.K.

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