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. 2008 Aug;10(8):1283-91.
doi: 10.1080/14622200802238993.

Developmental trajectories of cigarette smoking from adolescence to the early thirties: personality and behavioral risk factors

David W Brook  1 , Judith S Brook, Chenshu Zhang, Martin Whiteman, Patricia Cohen, Stephen J Finch
Affiliations

Developmental trajectories of cigarette smoking from adolescence to the early thirties: personality and behavioral risk factors

David W Brook et al. Nicotine Tob Res. 2008 Aug.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify distinct trajectories of cigarette smoking from ages 14 to 32, and to examine adolescent personality factors that distinguish trajectories of smoking behavior. Participants (N = 975) were randomly selected and followed prospectively since 1975. Follow-up data on cigarette use and personality and behavioral attributes were collected at five points in time, using structured interviews given in private by trained interviewers. Of these subjects, 746 comprised the cohort used in this study. Growth mixture modeling identified five smoking trajectory groups: nonsmokers, occasional smokers, late starters, quitters, and heavy/continuous smokers. Adolescent personality and behavioral risk factors such as lower ego integration, more externalizing behavior, and lower educational aspirations distinguished the trajectory groups. No gender differences were noted. The findings supported the hypotheses indicating multiple distinct trajectory groups of smoking behavior. Smoking behavior appeared in early adolescence and most often continued into adulthood. Emotional difficulties (i.e., lower ego integration), externalizing behavior, and lower educational aspirations in early adolescence were associated both with smoking at an early age and with continuing to smoke into the thirties. To be more effective, smoking prevention programs should target personality and behavioral variations before smoking becomes habitual, particularly focused on characteristics reflecting behavioral problems as manifested in emotional difficulties, externalizing behavior, and low educational aspirations in early adolescence. The implications for research, prevention, and treatment are discussed.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Trajectories of Average Cigarette Use: Age 14 to Age 32. Note: The smoking score refers to the following: 5.00=1.5 packs a day or more; 4.00=one pack per day; 3.00=1/2 pack per day; 2.00=1-5 cigarettes a day; 1.00=less than daily smoking; 0.00=none.
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References

    1. Balfour DJK. The psychopharmacology of tobacco dependence. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry Mongoraphs. 2003;18(1):12–21.
    1. Brook DW, Brook JS, Zhang C, Cohen P, Whiteman M. Drug use and risk of major depressive disorder, alcohol dependence, and substance use disorders. Archives of General Psychiatry. 2002;59:1039–1044. - PubMed
    1. Brook JS, Brook DW, Gordon AS, Whiteman M, Cohen P. The psychosocial etiology of adolescent drug use: A family interactional approach. Genetic, Social, and General Psychology Monographs. 1990;116(2):111–267. - PubMed
    1. Brook JS, Brook DW, Richter L, Whiteman M. Risk and protective factors of adolescent drug use: Implications for prevention programs. In: Sloboda Z, Bukoski WJ, editors. Handbook of drug abuse prevention: Theory, science and practice. Plenum; New York: 2003. pp. 265–287.
    1. Brook JS, Whiteman M, Gordon AS, Cohen P. Dynamics of childhood and adolescent personality traits and adolescent drug use. Developmental Psychology. 1986;22:403–414.

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