The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #64258

Michiko Otsuki, MA, Barbara J. Tinsley, PhD, Andrea Ericksen, PhD, and Olivia Pillado, MA. Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Healthy Families Project, 1419 L.S.P., Riverside, CA 92521, 909-787-3851, michikoo@citrus.ucr.edu

Identifying factors that precipitate cigarette smoking among youth is critical for primary prevention of smoking to be successful. Earlier pubertal timing is increasingly recognized as a significant risk factor for early initiation of health risk behaviors including tobacco use. Although parental monitoring may have a buffering effect on early adolescents’ substance use, the extent to which this protective factor operates together with youths’ pubertal timing in affecting the risk of early tobacco use is unclear. The current study explored the influences of pubertal timing, maternal monitoring, and gender on cigarette use anticipation (i.e., an indicator of susceptibility to smoking initiation) among a multiethnic sample of preadolescents. Participants were Mexican-origin (43%) and European American (57%) 149 fifth-grade boys (n=80) and girls (n=69) and their mothers. Preadolescents reported their pubertal status and anticipation of trying cigarettes by age 12. Mothers’ reports of parental monitoring included limit setting, surveillance of children’s activities, and curfews. Boys and girls with earlier pubertal timing reported higher levels of smoking anticipation, even after controlling for ethnicity and presence of family smoker(s). Gender differences in the interactive effects of monitoring and pubertal timing were found, such that for girls (but not for boys), greater monitoring ameliorates the influence of earlier pubertal timing with respect to smoking anticipation. For both boys and girls, levels of anticipated cigarette use, maternal monitoring and pubertal status did not differ across ethnic group, and no ethnic covariation was found.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: (
• recognize the importance of considering the unique influences of pubertal timing on preadolescents’ vulnerability to initiate cigarette use across diverse groups of youth, (
• recognize the complex interplay of gender differences, pubertal timing, and parental monitoring on preadolescents’ smoking anticipation (an antecedent of tobacco use onset), and (
• develop an effective family-based smoking intervention plan that emphasizes the importance of parental supervision especially for early maturing preadolescents.

Keywords: Youth, Smoking

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.