Peer Group Structure and Adolescent Cigarette Smoking: A Social Network Analysis

Citation

Ennett, Susan T. & Bauman, Karl E. (1993). Peer Group Structure and Adolescent Cigarette Smoking: A Social Network Analysis. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 34(3), 226-236.

Abstract

Social network theory and analysis are applied to examine whether adolescents who fill various social positions that characterize peer group structure differ in prevalence of current smoking. One thousand and ninety-two (1,092) ninth graders in one school system named their three best friends, allowing the identification of each adolescent as clique member, clique liaison, or isolate. At four of five schools, the odds of being a current smoker were significantly higher for isolates than for clique members and liaisons. The relationship was not explained by demographic variables or by the number of friends who smoke.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/2137204

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

1993

Journal Title

Journal of Health and Social Behavior

Author(s)

Ennett, Susan T.
Bauman, Karl E.