It has been suggested that SES predicts smoking behavior among adolescents. However, evaluating smoking and SES in adolescents has been complex since they are unable to accurately report SES indicators from their parents (e.g., education, income). Therefore, large-scale studies among adolescents often use proxy SES indicators. This study examined which proxy SES indicator (s) is the strongest predictor of smoking among adolescents, and whether the SES-smoking relationship was the same for Blacks and Whites. A total of 6,967 seventh graders attending public schools were surveyed at baseline and 3 follow-up assessments (years 2, 3, and 4). The independent variables included median household income and median household education by zip code of participants' residence, and percent of children on free lunch program at participants' schools. The dependent variable was smoking status at each of the assessments. For Blacks, enrollment in schools with more free lunch students was associated with greater odds of smoking at baseline, years 2 and 3. For Whites, median income by zip code and percent of students enrolled in free lunch program predicted smoking status at baseline and all the three follow-up assessments. Median educational level by zip code predicted smoking status at baseline and year 2, but not years 3 and 4. For Whites, free lunch was a slightly stronger predictor than median household income, but the odds ratios were very similar. These findings suggest that different SES indicators should be used according to the ethnicity of the group under study when predicting smoking behavior among adolescents.
Learning Objectives: (1) To recognize the importance of using proxy SES indicators to predict cigarette smoking when dealing with young adolescents; (2) To recognize that the choice regarding the most suitable SES indicator in the prediction of cigarette smoking among young adolescents will vary according to ethnicity of the group under study
Keywords: Adolescents, Smoking
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.