Cancer Control Research
5R01CA084063-04
Brook, Judith S.
TOBACCO USE AMONG MINORITY YOUTH: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY
Abstract
DESCRIPTION (Adapted from applicant's abstract): This application requests
support for the next wave of a long- term ongoing, longitudinal study . This
longitudinal study examines the etiologic determinants of changes between
adolescence and young adulthood in tobacco use and problem behaviors, and the
consequences of tobacco use on the individual's functioning . The sample
includes 444 disadvantaged inner-city African-American and Puerto Rican young
adults who were seen in early/middle adolescence, and then in late adolescence.
A third data collection is proposed to accomplish the following: (1) to
examine the interrelations and interactions of risk and protective factors,
including personality, family, peers, ecological context,
acculturation/cultural values, and African American and Puerto Rican ethnic
identification, as they affect the course of tobacco use
(i.e.,stability,change), illegal drug use, and delinquency in these young
adults; and (2) to study the consequences of early tobacco use on young adult
intra- and interpersonal functioning. Individual interviews with the young
adult subjects will be conducted by trained ethnically matched interviewers.
Scales with adequate psychometric properties measuring the independent
variables will be developed from the interview schedules. The primary analytic
techniques will be LISREL, hierarchical regression analysis, and regression
analysis and Latent Growth Modeling. The significance of this study lies in its
longitudinal design with intrapersonal, interpersonal and problem behavior data
available in depth on young adult , inner-city African-Americans and Puerto
Ricans . This is the first time such longitudinal data will be available for a
sample in this age group at particular risk for tobacco use. Knowledge of the
protective factors which help offset the risks for tobacco use and knowledge of
the consequences of tobacco use for psychosocial functioning are important for
determining the foci and timing of effective prevention and treatment programs.
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