The Association between Adolescent Smoking and Family Function

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Recently, adolescent smoking has become one of the most serious problems in our society. In this study, we surveyed smoking status, family function by Korean family function assessment tool, history of abuse, and others to know the factors associated with smoking for high school students. METHODS: In May 2001, a total of 1,033 students from 2 male and 2 female general high schools located in Seoul were assessed with self-completing questionnaire. Among the total, there were 502 male and 533 female students. RESULTS: The percentage of male smokers was 27.7% and that of female smokers was 14.5%. The percentage of smokers was significantly higher in students with a history of physical abuse, psychological abuse or negligence (only in males) than in students without them. The family function score of the smokers was 127.3+/-20.3 and that of the non-smokers was 140.3+/-21.0 in males. The family function score of the smokers was 121.5+/-17.45 and that of the non-smokers was 140.9+/-22.1 in females. The family function score of the smokers was significantly lower than that of the non-smokers in males and females. In 6 factors (supportiveness, alienation, closeness, roles, sociality, authority (only in males)) each family function score of the smokers was significantly lower than that of the non-smokers in males and females. CONCLUSION: Adolescent smoking was associated with family function and history of abuse (physical, psychological and negligence (only in males)).