Tracking Change in the Patterns of Parental Smoking

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence and predictors of parental smoking in a representative sample of mothers and fathers. The results showed that in this New Zealand sample approximately 38% of mothers and 43% of fathers were smokers, and that proportionally more fathers than mothers were ex-smokers. The pattern of maternal smoking was relatively less stable, showing a rate of increase over the first 2-year period and an equivalent rate over the second period for those who started or resumed smoking compared to those who stopped smoking. Predictors of maternal smoking groups included level of educational qualifications, number of changes of residence, personality (extraversion and neuroticism scores) and being a young mother. Predictors of paternal smoking groups from a smaller range of background variables included level of educational qualifications, socio-economic status and age. The measures did not satisfactorily differentiate smokers who decreased their level of smoking from those who increased their level of smoking and those who continued to smoke or not to smoke.