Abstract

Adolescents' use of tobacco products is an ever-growing sector of today's society. Adolescents continue to smoke cigarettes at an alarming rate. Early adolescent cigarette smoking between the ages of 11 and 13 years was found to be related to peer pressure and family role-modeling. Another influence cited was the use of media catering to adolescents. The ease at which adolescents acquire cigarettes is evidence that further restrictions need to be applied to those who sell to adolescents. The purpose of this study was to further explore influencing factors to adolescent smoking. The research question was what are the factors that influence an adolescent to cigarette smoking experimentation? Two theories were utilized to guide this study : Erickson, Tomlin, and Swain's Modeling and Role-Modeling Theory and Erickson's psychosocial development stages. Subjects included the seventh- and eighth-grade students at a rural county school in south Mississippi. Data were compiled using a researcherdeveloped questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, percentages, and frequencies. Findings supported earlier research as males were identified as the strongest influence of these seventhand eighth-grade boys and girls. Despite the male influence, 84% of the sample acquired their cigarettes from peers. Peers were identified as the strongest overall influence. Adolescent smoking programs must be offered at an earlier age through age-specific program development.

Degree

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Department

Graduate Nursing

Degree Date

8-1-2000

Publication Number

27924602

First Advisor

Dr. Mary Patricia Curtis

Second Advisor

Dr. Patricia E. Smyth

Third Advisor

Lorraine Hamm

Document Type

Thesis

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