ADOLESCENT SMOKING BEHAVIOR: STUDY OF SOCIO PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTOR

Abstract

Background: Adolescents who are in the age range 10-24 years were grouped into early, middle and late adolescent. During their growth, there are processes including biological and psychological changes which refer to the process of searching for their identity. At this period, adolescents are risky to involve in smoking behavior. Indonesian Health Research (2008) detected 23.7% of the population aged more than 10 years had been smoke every day. Therefore, it is necessary to study a variety of socio-psychological factors that influence adolescent smoking behavior.

Discussion: This study found psychosocial factors including knowledge, attitudes, peer pressure, parental influence, mass media and culture provide a substantial contribution in adolescents smoking behavior forming.

Conclusion: In order to cope with the adolescents smoking behavior so in their growth they need to be equipped with enough information about the health effects of smoking which can be initiated primarily at home or at school.

Keywords: adolescent, smoking behavior, socio psychological factor