Asthma-specific Predictors of Smoking Onset in Adolescents with Asthma: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Despite even occasional smoking being more risky for adolescents with asthma, the smoking rate in this vulnerable population remains high. This is the first longitudinal study investigating asthma-specific predictors of smoking initiation. METHODS: A three-wave longitudinal survey study (22 months) among 257 adolescents with asthma was conducted. The effects of asthma-specific factors [symptom severity, medication adherence, coping, attitude towards asthma, and quality of life (QOL)] on smoking onset were tested with logistic regression models. RESULTS: Poorer self-reported adherence and the maladaptive coping strategy of hiding asthma predicted smoking onset. Poorer QOL predicted..