Smoker Identity and Smoking Escalation Among Adolescents

Objective: We investigated whether there is a positive, unique relation between smoker identity and smoking escalation. Methods: Adolescents from the Chicago area (n = 1263) completed paper-and-pencil questionnaires and in-person interviews at baseline, 6 months, 15 months, and 24 months of a longitudinal study. Smoking behavior, smoker identity, nicotine dependence, smoking expectancies, smoking motives, and novelty seeking were assessed. Results: There was a unique relation between smoker identity and smoking escalation. The more that adolescents thought smoking was a defining aspect of who they were, the more likely their smoking escalated. Conclusions: The findings suggest that smoker identity could be targeted for preventing escalation. Research on its development is needed.