Family harmony as a protective factor against adolescent tobacco and alcohol use in Wuhan, China

Subst Use Misuse. 2003 Jun;38(8):1159-71. doi: 10.1081/ja-120017656.

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the association between family harmony (FH) and tobacco and alcohol use (TAU) in Chinese adolescents.

Methods: Participants completed a survey in 1998 as part of a larger study of adolescent health in Wuhan, China. Analyses were performed on subjects for whom complete data were available (n = 183; 50.8% male; mean age = 13.17 yrs, std dev = 0.59). Structural equation modeling was utilized to quantify the relationships between the FH, TAU, depression, and academic aptitude factors.

Results: The conceptualized structural equation model was found to have a good fit to the data (CFI = 0.995; chi2 = 39.57 df = 38; p = 40). FH was a significant predictor of TAU (beta = -0.42, p < 0.05) and was protective. FH' was also negatively related to depression (r = -0.24, p < 0.05) and positively related to academic achievement/aptitude (r = 0.35, p < 0.05).

Conclusions: These central findings highlight the value and importance placed on FH within the Chinese culture. Future prevention programs may benefit by taking into account FH as a potential mediator of TAU in adolescents in China.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Achievement
  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / ethnology*
  • Alcohol Drinking / ethnology
  • Alcohol Drinking / prevention & control*
  • Child
  • China / epidemiology
  • Culture
  • Depression / ethnology
  • Family Relations / ethnology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Smoking / ethnology
  • Smoking Prevention*
  • Students / psychology*
  • Students / statistics & numerical data
  • Surveys and Questionnaires