Psychosocial predictors of increased smoking stage among sixth graders

Objectives: To identify predictors of increases in smoking stage among sixth graders. Methods: At the beginning and end of sixth grade, 973 students completed surveys. Multivariate, partial proportional odds analyses were conducted. Results: Time 1 intenders were 4 times more likely than never users to smoke at Time 2. In adjusted analyses, female sex, white race, peers, and perceived prevalence were positively associated with an increase in smoking stage, and social competence, parental expectations, and parental monitoring were negatively associated with an increase in smoking stage. Conclusions: Early adolescent smoking advanced in stages; intent predicted initiation; peer and parent influences were independently associated with increases in smoking stage.