Do children overestimate the extent of smoking among their peers? A feasibility study of the social norms approach to prevent smoking
| Autor: | Kamran Siddiqi, Heather Thomson, Gemma Mann, Elizabeth Owiredu, Helen Elsey, Rashesh Mehta |
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| Rok vydání: | 2015 |
| Předmět: |
Male
Adolescent Smoking prevention education Medicine (miscellaneous) Toxicology Peer Group Interviews as Topic Social norms approach Surveys and Questionnaires Social Norms Humans Child Risk behaviour Smoking Focus Groups Quarter (United States coin) Focus group Psychiatry and Mental health Clinical Psychology Adolescent Behavior Feasibility Studies Female Psychology Social psychology Qualitative research Demography |
| Zdroj: | Addictive Behaviors. 41:7-11 |
| ISSN: | 0306-4603 |
| Popis: | Social norms approaches (SNA) are based on the premise that we frequently overestimate risk behaviours among our peers. By conducting campaigns to reduce these misperceptions, SNAs aim to reduce risk behaviours. This study examines the extent to which 12 to 13year old pupils overestimate smoking among their peers and explores the appropriateness of using SNA in secondary schools to prevent smoking uptake.The extent of overestimation of smoking among peers was assessed through an on-line SNA questionnaire in five schools (n=595). Based on questionnaire results, pupils developed SNA campaigns in each school. Qualitative methods of focus groups (7), interviews (7) and observation were used to explore in-depth, from the perspective of staff and pupils, the appropriateness and feasibility of the SNA to prevent smoking uptake in secondary schools.A quarter of pupils, 25.9% (95% CI 25.6% to 26.1%) believed that most of their peers smoked, however, only 3% (95% CI 2.8% to 3.3%) reported that they actually did; a difference of 22.9% (95% CI 19.1% to 26.6%). Self-reported smoking was not significantly different between schools (X(2)=8.7 p=0.064), however, perceptions of year group smoking was significantly different across schools (X(2)=63.9 p0.001). Qualitative analysis identified full school engagement, minimal teacher time requirements, pupils' belief in questionnaire results and understanding wider context, as key in optimising implementation.This study shows significant misperception between self-reported and perceived smoking among peers in secondary schools, thus supporting a key premise of social norms theory. Implementing SNAs and studying effects is feasible within secondary schools. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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