The link between asthma and smoking explained by depressive feelings and self-efficacy

AbstractObjective cents with asthma consistently smoke at higher or similar rates as non-asthmatic peers, although smoking might involve more health risks. This study examined possible mechanisms (i.e. depressive feelings and self-efficacy to refrain from smoking) explaining the association between asthma and smoking initiation. s irect path from asthma to self-efficacy through depressive feelings was examined in two independent samples. Sample 1 consisted of 4531 adolescents (mean age 12.8) and sample 2 consisted of 1289 children (late childhood, mean age 10.1). Data were gathered from maternal and self-report. In the adolescent sample, whether the relationship between depressive feelings at baseline and smoking initiation two years post-baseline runs via self-efficacy was also examined. s amounts of depressive feelings decreased adolescentsʹ self-efficacy to refrain from smoking, which subsequently increased the risk to initiate smoking. A diagnosis of asthma was also associated with higher levels of depressive feelings which in turn decreased self-efficacy. A marginal significant indirect effect was found in the childhood sample. sion g prevention efforts should start as early as mid to late childhood. The results indicate that focus should be placed on preventing depressive feelings with the aim of increasing childrenʹs self-efficacy to refrain from smoking. This is especially important for children and adolescents with asthma.