Parental communication appears not to be an effective strategy to reduce smoking in a sample of Dutch adolescents

Psychol Health. 2009 Sep;24(7):823-41. doi: 10.1080/08870440802074649.

Abstract

This longitudinal study examined the reciprocal effects of the frequency of parent-adolescent communication on tobacco-related issues (smoking-specific communication), and adolescents' smoking. Participants were 428 Dutch older and younger siblings between 13 and 16 years old. Smoking-specific communication did not affect youth smoking in general; however, among younger, but not older, siblings, smoking-specific communication was associated with a higher likelihood of smoking over time. In addition, when adolescents already smoked parents started to talk more frequently about smoking-related issues with their older and younger adolescents later on. Neither the quality of smoking-specific communication, the quality of parent-adolescent relationship, nor parental smoking moderated these reciprocal effects. In conclusion, prevention campaigns encouraging parents to undertake smoking-specific communication might not be desirable.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior
  • Communication*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Netherlands
  • Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care* / methods
  • Parent-Child Relations*
  • Smoking Cessation*