Systematic Review of Social Network Analysis in Adolescent Cigarette Smoking Behavior*
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Social networks are important in adolescent smoking behavior. Previous research indicates that peer context is a major causal factor of adolescent smoking behavior. To date, however, little is known about the influence of peer group structure on adolescent smoking behavior. METHODS: Studies that examined adolescent social networks with regard to their cigarette smoking behavior were identified through online and manual literature searches. Ten social network analysis studies involving a total of 28,263 adolescents were included in the final review. RESULTS: Of the 10 reviewed studies, 6 identify clique members, liaisons, and isolates as contributing factors to adolescent cigarette smoking. Significantly higher rates of smoking are noted among isolates than clique members or liaisons in terms of peer network structure. Eight of the reviewed studies indicate that peer selection or influence precedes adolescents' smoking behavior and intent to smoke. Such peer selection or influence accounts for a large portion of similarities among smoking adolescents. CONCLUSION: Adolescents who are identified as isolates are more likely to smoke and engage in risk‐taking behaviors than others in the peer network structure. Given that the vast majority of current adult smokers started their smoking habits during adolescence, adolescent smoking prevention efforts will likely benefit from incorporating social network analytic approaches and focusing the efforts on isolates and other vulnerable adolescents from a peer selection and influence perspective.
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Causality could not be proven and other variables may have confounded the relationship between social isolation and tobacco use in adolescents.
“though causality could not be proven and other variables may have confounded the relationship 29 .”
From An overview of systematic reviews on the public health consequences of social isolation and loneliness (2017) · cites this paper as [29]
Consistent evidence that more socially isolated adolescents were more likely to use tobacco was found in a review of ten studies.
“Consistent evidence that more socially isolated adolescents were more likely to use tobacco was found in a review of ten studies”
From An overview of systematic reviews on the public health consequences of social isolation and loneliness (2017) · cites this paper as [29]
The overview found an association (+) between loneliness and tobacco use, supported by one review or multiple lower quality reviews.
“| Tobacco use (Barbosa et al 2012, Dyal & Valente 2015, Seo et al 2012) | + | + | |”
From An overview of systematic reviews on the public health consequences of social isolation and loneliness (2017) · cites this paper as Seo et al 2012
The overview found an association (+) between social isolation and tobacco use, supported by one review or multiple lower quality reviews.
“| Tobacco use (Barbosa et al 2012, Dyal & Valente 2015, Seo et al 2012) | + | + | |”
From An overview of systematic reviews on the public health consequences of social isolation and loneliness (2017) · cites this paper as Seo et al 2012
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- Authors
- Seo, D., & Huang, Y.
- Affiliations
- Indiana University Bloomington (US)
- Corresponding author
- Seo, Dong‐Chul
- Venue
- Journal of School Health
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2011-12-06
- Volume
- 82
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 21-27
- ISSN
- 0022-4391 (ISSN-L)
- 1746-1561
- OpenAlex
- W2074241539
- Cited by
- 132
- References
- 39
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 4
- FWCI
- 0.41
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of School Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Smoking Behavior and Cessation
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
- Keywords
- adolescent smoking, peer networks, social network analysis, peer selection, peer influence, cliques, smoking prevention, risk-taking
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adolescent Behavior, Choice Behavior, Female, Group Structure, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Loneliness, Male, Peer Group, Surveys and Questionnaires, Risk Factors, Smoking, Social Behavior, Social Class, Tobacco Use Disorder, United States, Prevalence, Behavior, Addictive, Friends
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