Familial Constraints on the Initiation of Cigarette Smoking Among Adolescents: An Elaboration of Social Bonding Theory and Differential Association Theory

Abstract

Researchers have identified specific familial risk factors associated with the onset of smoking among adolescents. Two theoretical perspectives have been employed to integrate the research. Social bonding theory suggests that weak family relations have a direct influence on adolescent smoking behavior, whereas the differential association perspective proposes that the quality of family relations has an indirect impact in the initiation of smoking through facilitating association with smoking peers. Parental smoking behavior and the nature of the family structure are acknowledged as important factors that may interact with or directly influence family relations. This article explores how familial risk factors play a direct and an indirect role in influencing the initiation of smoking. Implications for school-based smoking preventive programs and recommendations for future research are presented and discussed.