Naturalistic Observation of Adolescent Tobacco Use

Authors

Steve Sussman, University of Southern California
Ginger Hahn, University of Southern California
Clyde W. Dent, University of Southern California
Alan W. Stacy, Claremont Graduate UniversityFollow
Dee Burton, University of Illinois at Chicago
Brian R. Flay, University of Illinois at Chicago

Document Type

Article

Department

Community and Global Health (CGU)

Publication Date

1993

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Mental and Social Health | Public Health | Substance Abuse and Addiction

Abstract

A naturalistic observation study of adolescent tobacco use was conducted to corroborate previous studies which used self-report questionnaire or structured interview methods to study this problem behavior. Several findings converged with previous accounts of adolescent tobacco use. For example, most use occurred in small groups. However, other findings diverged somewhat from previous research in that an unexpectedly low number of offers of tobacco was observed, nonusers were present in smoking groups, and solitary smoking was common. These data suggest that direct, normative social pressure to use tobacco may not be as frequent as more subtle informational social influence, at least in high school adolescent tobacco use groups.

Rights Information

© 1993 Informa Healthcare

DOI

10.3109/10826089309039657

Recommended Citation

Sussman, Steve, Ginger Hahn, Clyde W. Dent, Alan W. Stacy, Dee Burton, and Brian R. Flay. "Naturalistic Observation of Adolescent Tobacco Use." Substance Use & Misuse 28.9 (1993): 803-811. doi: 10.3109/10826089309039657