Smoker identity and smoking escalation among adolescents.

Abstract

We investigated whether there is a positive, unique relation between smoker identity and smoking escalation. Adolescents from the Chicago area (n = 1263) completed paper-and-pencil questionnaires and in-person interviews at baseline, 6 months, 15 months, and 24 months of a longitudinal study. Smoking behavior, smoker identity, nicotine dependence, smoking expectancies, smoking motives, and novelty seeking were assessed. There was a unique relation between smoker identity and smoking escalation. The more that adolescents thought smoking was a defining aspect of who they were, the more likely their smoking escalated. The findings suggest that smoker identity could be targeted for preventing escalation. Research on its development is needed.