Adolescents' Use of Tobacco, Health Locus of Control, and Self-Monitoring
- 1 April 2000
- journal article
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in Health Communication
- Vol. 12 (2), 137-148
- https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327027hc1202_2
Abstract
This study examined the association of the traits, health locus of control, and self-monitoring with adolescents' tobacco uptake. Participants were 112 rural adolescents (12 to 19 years old, M = 15.3). Of that sample, 33% used tobacco. Tobacco users were found to score lower on the dimension of Internality and higher on the dimension of Chance, as compared with nonusers of tobacco, indicating a more external Health Locus of Control. In addition, tobacco users were lower self-monitors than were nonusers. These results suggest that adolescents who use tobacco feel less in control of their lives in relation to nonusers, believe that chance plays a larger role in their health, and believe they may be unable to monitor and adapt their communication to achieve positive outcomes.Keywords
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