The role of adolescents' mental health and well-being in predicting their smoking status

Abstract

Objectives

This study aims to examine the relationship between adolescent's mental health, well-being and their tobacco use.

Methods

The study employed a relational survey model. The sample consisted of 691 adolescents aged between 12 and 15. This study deployed “Decisional Balance Scale” to predict and define the adolescents' tobacco use, and the “Me and My Feelings Scale” to evaluate mental health and well-being. Multiple linear regression analysis was used during data analysis.

Result

The results revealed that the emotional difficulties dimension of Me and My Feelings Scale had a statistically significant effect on the Decisional Balance Scale. However, the behavioral difficulties dimension did not have a statistically significant impact on the Decisional Balance Scale.

Conclusions

Adolescents' mental health affects their tobacco use at the level of 2.3 %. A significant relationship was noted across the adolescents' mental health and their perceptions towards smoking.