Longitudinal Research on Theory-Based Prediction of Smoking Behavior

A major thrust of our longitudinal research program is now directed toward long-term prospective research on youth/youth adult smoking.

Psychosocial Influences on Adolescent and Young Adult Smoking Behaviors

(Principal Investigator: Jonathan Bricker, PhD; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Why do young people start or stop smoking?

To address this question, the overall goal of this research is to determine which childhood and adolescent psychosocial theory-based factors predict smoking acquisition and cessation during adolescence and young adulthood. Utilizing Hutchinson Smoking Prevention Project data from a large (N = 8,388) cohort of individuals followed from age 8 to 28, we are conducting a series of studies examining psychological and social predictors of smoking behaviors, the processes underlying these predictions (i.e., mediators), and the factors that weaken or strengthen these predictions (i.e., moderators).