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Scientists follow smokers for two generations to
study smoking behavior
Oct. 25, 2001
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The first longitudinal study to follow smoking behavior
across two generations is still in progress. The findings have been used in the
development of smoking prevention programs around the country.
Since 1980, Steven J. Sherman, Chancellor's Professor of Psychology at
Indiana University, along with his colleagues Laurie Chassin and Clark Presson
at Arizona State University, has been investigating the important issue of
smoking among adolescents -- how it begins, and the paths and changes of smoking
behavior that occur into adulthood. This has involved a study of about 8,000
subjects, who started as participants when they were in grades 6-12 in 1980.
These participants are now in their mid-thirties, and the study is still
continuing.
The main goal of the early work was to identify the factors that cause young
adolescent nonsmokers to become smokers. The researchers identified important
parental, peer, attitudinal and personality factors that predicted the onset of
smoking among young adolescents. This work has been used in the development of
smoking prevention programs around the country.
Next the research team looked at the adoption of young adult roles (college
student, work, spouse and parental roles) and the amount of role stress in
changing patterns of smoking and in smoking cessation.
Most recently, the work has focused not only on the original participants,
but also on their children who are of age to begin smoking. This allows an
investigation of the inter-generational transmission of smoking behaviors, as
well as attitudes and beliefs about smoking. The researchers have been able to
identify key factors of parental socialization patterns and parental attitudes
that are central in shaping the smoking attitudes and behaviors of their
children.
This research has been continuously supported by the National Institutes of
Health. Sherman can be reached at 812-855-8163 or
sherman@indiana.edu..
(Hal Kibbey, 812-855-0074, hkibbey@indiana.edu)