Factors relating to pregnant adolescents' decisions to complete a smoking cessation intervention

Abstract

Adolescence is a time when young people are confronted with critical health-related decision-making responsibilities. Choices associated with smoking behavior and cessation represent one specific family of relevant adolescent decision tasks. This study examined differences between pregnant girls who decided to complete a smoking cessation intervention and those who decided not to complete the program. The comparison was made across variables representing intrapersonal, familial, and peer domains. The sample consisted of 53 pregnant teenagers. Measures included a demographic questionnaire, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and selected items from a smoking history questionnaire and the Health Behavior Questionnaire: High School Form. Significant group differences were found for age (P = .01), race (P = .05), duration of smoking (P = .02), type of smoker (P = .01), and parents' approval of teenage smoking (P = .01). A trend in differences between the two groups was evident for religious attitudes (P = .09).