The Application of Poisson Random-Effects Regression Models to the Analyses of Adolescentsʹ Current Level of Smoking

Background. In school-based smoking prevention research, it is still debatable whether parents or peers are most influential to maintained smoking among adolescents. As a result, this study examines the effects of parental and peer approval of smoking on adolescentsʹ current levels of smoking. Methods. Poisson random-effects regression models were used to assess the effects of parental and peer approval of smoking on adolescentsʹ (n = 913) current level of smoking. Results. Results of these analyses indicate that a stronger relationship between parental approval of smoking and current level of smoking was found for female adolescents than for male adolescents. Conversely, a stronger relationship between peer approval of smoking and current level of smoking was found for male adolescents than for female adolescents. With respect to race, the influence of parental approval of smoking on adolescentsʹ current level of smoking was generally more pronounced for minority adolescents, relative to white adolescents. However, the influence of peer approval of smoking on current level of smok ing was strongest for white adolescents and was less strong for black, Hispanic, and Asian adolescents. Conclusion. The findings of this study demonstrated that the effects of parental and peer approval of smoking on adolescentsʹ current levels of smoking were varied by gender and race. These differential effects may have some implication for the development of future school-based smoking prevention and cessation programs.