Youthful smoking and drinking in a longitudinal perspective

The incidence and continuity of smoking and drinking, precursory social-behavioral characteristics of smokers and drinkers, and life conditions related to smoking and drinking are described. The study was part of an extensive Finnish longitudinal study of social development, the original sample of which consisted of 8-year-old subjects (196 boys, 173 girls) studied in 1968 by employing peer nomination and teacher ratings. The follow-up studies were made at ages 14 and 20. 154 Ss at age 14 and 135 Ss at age 20 were interviewed about their smoking and drinking habits, among others. The results showed that about 20% of the subjects smoked at age 14 and about 30% at age 20. The proportion of abstainers was about 25% at age 14 and 10% at age 20. The differences between the sexes were negligible. Smoking at age 20 was predictable on the basis of early initiation, but drinking was not. Aggressiveness at age 8, and orientation towards peers and negativism at age 14 predicted male and female smoking and male drinking and alcohol offences at age 20. Social characteristics did not predict female drinking. At age 20, male and female smoking and heavy drinking belonged to the way of life of Reveller, and smoking also to that of Loser. Smoking and drinking were related to parental models at age 20, but in puberty the influence of peers' smoking and drinking was stronger than that of the parental models. Lack of parental encouragement and affectional interaction with the parents was related to female smoking and male drinking. Youthful smoking and drinking were not connected with family socioeconomic status.