A new study found that children who have strict parents are less likely to try smoking.
Researchers from the Georgetown University led by Cassandra Stanton recruited 459 eight graders with an average age of 13. They were asked to complete a comprehensive survey about their smoking history and if they have seen their parents smoke before. They were asked if they had received any punishment or reward for smoking and not smoking; any discussion about the dangers of smoking; and any disciplinary measures their parents implement.
The researchers found that children who described their parents as “authoritative” or “structured” are more discouraged or disinterested to try smoking. This was regardless of the ethnicity of the children. The participants were Hispanic (29 percent), non-Hispanic white (17 percent), mixed (20 percent), and African American (34 percent).
Their findings noted that it is imperative for health experts to identify parental influence on children and how this affects their decision to try smoking. Earlier research has found a connection between lack of discipline from parents, low morals, and increased likelihood of smoking.
"Many past studies have examined broad parenting styles, however this study looked at how specific parenting strategies may help protect youth from cigarette smoking initiation," Stanton told Reuters.
Results of the research reflected that although rates of smoking varied across ethnic groups, white students tend to smoke more often than others. On the other hand, African American and Latin Americans have a higher risk of developing smoking-related diseased in their adult life compared with whites.
Heather Patrick from the Health Behaviors Research Branch of the National Cancer Institute, who was not part of the study, agreed with the researchers. She told Reuters,” It's helpful for intervention materials to have images that show a diversity of racial and ethnic groups”
The study was published in the December 4 issue of Journal of Pediatric Psychology.
