A longitudinal study of the reciprocal relationship between ever smoking and urgency in early adolescence

Jessica L. Burris, Elizabeth Riley, Gabriella E. Puleo, Gregory T. Smith

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background Among early adolescents in the United States (U.S.), the prevalence of cigarette smoking is at its lowest level in recent decades. Nonetheless, given the risks of smoking in early development, it remains critically important to study both risk factors for smoking and risks from smoking. This longitudinal study with U.S. early adolescents examines smoking initiation and tests a model of reciprocal prediction between ever smoking and the personality trait of urgency (i.e., mood-based impulsivity), a trait that increases risk for multiple forms of dysfunction. Methods Participants (n = 1906; 90% 10–11 years old, 50% female, 39% racial minorities at baseline) completed questionnaires 1–2 times per year starting in 5th grade and ending in 9th grade. Structural equation modeling allowed tests of bidirectional relationships between ever smoking and urgency controlling for pubertal status and negative affect at each wave. Results Incidence of ever smoking increased from 5% to 27% over time, with current smoking around 5% at the last wave. Urgency at each wave predicted ever smoking at the next wave above and beyond covariates and prior smoking (all p < 0.01). Likewise, with one exception, ever smoking predicted an increase in urgency at the subsequent wave above and beyond covariates and prior urgency (all p < 0.05). Conclusion Results show that risk for smoking increases with higher levels of urgency and urgency increases secondary to engagement in smoking. Future work should therefore explore urgency as a point of prevention for smoking and smoking cessation as a means to mitigate mood-based impulsivity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)519-526
Number of pages8
JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence
Volume178
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2017

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Elsevier B.V.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (grant numbers R01 AA016166 from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to G.T. Smith and K07 CA181351 from the National Cancer Institute to J.L. Burris). Its content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the funding source. The National Institutes of Health had no role in study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the article for publication.

FundersFunder number
National Institutes of Health (NIH)R01 AA016166
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and AlcoholismK07 CA181351
National Childhood Cancer Registry – National Cancer InstituteP30CA177558

    Keywords

    • Adolescence
    • Impulsivity
    • Longitudinal design
    • Smoking
    • Urgency

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Toxicology
    • Pharmacology
    • Psychiatry and Mental health
    • Pharmacology (medical)

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