Title

Lighting up - Young adults' autobiographical accounts of their first smoking experiences

Authors

Authors

D. E. Delorme; P. J. Kreshel;L. N. Reid

Abbreviated Journal Title

Youth Soc.

Keywords

cigarettes; smoking; youth; CIGARETTE-SMOKING; ADOLESCENTS; INITIATION; BEHAVIOR; ONSET; PREDICTORS; CHILDREN; Social Issues; Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary; Sociology

Abstract

In this study, the authors explored young adults' autobiographical memories of their first consumption experiences with cigarettes using a form of life history. We collected and analyzed 2 76 first-person essays to discover the significance of conditions and factors associated with the first act of smoking. For the study's participants, the first-use experience was a symbolically significant and enduring life event. Participants were able to provide rich and detailed recollections about the contextual nature of the first smoking act and the influences and outcomes associated with the event. Suggestions for the development of intervention communication programs are offered as well as recommendations for future research.

Journal Title

Youth & Society

Volume

34

Issue/Number

4

Publication Date

1-1-2003

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

468

Last Page

496

WOS Identifier

WOS:000182733500004

ISSN

0044-118X

Share

COinS